Both my brother and myself are still somewhat in shock but Friday Aug 10 we lost our daddy. For the most part he was a very spry 83 and was active right up to the end, he even went fishing with one of his best friends the prevous Monday. He was taken to the hospital on Wenesday and it was determined that he had 80% blockage on one side and 90% on the other.
He was taken back rather quickly for bypass surgery still cutting up with the staff and wanting to tell stories, he always wanted to tell stories. My brother had to litterally tell him to hush, "You can tell us tomorrow" Mark said. Even though surgery went much better than expected Daddy never woke up. Its believed that a blood clot broke loose and he had a massive stroke.
Daddy served in the Navy during WWII. He was a gunner and bombadier on the Navy's PBY Mariners and fought the Japanese the last 2 1/2 yaers of the war. He even had one of his planes shot out from under him, and helped pull alot of sailors out of the water. I was sure Daddy still had some fight left in him.
Daddy was most proud of his service, especially his medals.
memorial 002 attatch.jpg
Some of these medals for whatever reason he did not recieve at the end of his service, but with the help, hard work, and persistance of US Congressman Howard Coble he finally recieved them in April 2004 also presented to him by Congressman Coble. He was like a child on Christmas morning that day.
The flag to the left was flown over the Capitol on Dec. 2 2002 in honor of daddy's service at the request of Congressman Richard Burr
Daddy built the display box.
He will be missed.
Bryan
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