Claude Nelon Rutherfordton, North Carolina Obituary

Claude Nelon

Retired Air Force Colonel Claude Rufus Nelon, 88, passed away peacefully Sunday, 30 Aug, 2009, at his home. He is survived by his wife Helen Mary Ganey Nelon of Lake Lure, two daughters Mary of Asheville and Suzanne of Rutherfordton and four sons Claude Jr. of Hurricane WV, David of Lake Lure, Richard of McKinney TX and Major (US Army) Patrick of Oahu Hi, twelve grandchildren, three great grand children. He was preceded in death by sons Robert and Randy. Claude was born on October 5, 1920 in Uree NC, currently Lake Lure. He was the oldest of twelve children born to the late Annie Mae Conner Nelon and Rufus Wilkebell Nelon. Claude was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Pauline Dotson and three brothers, Edward, Ernest and Richard. He is survived by five sisters, Myrtle Searcy of Asheville, Sarah Lawter of Bat Cave, Mary Jane Melton of Chimney Rock, Rosa Owensby of Hendersonville, Geneva Wilson of Rutherfordton, and two brothers, Sidney and Wade of Lake Lure. Claude was a veteran of three wars, serving 32 years from 1942 to 1974 in the Army Air Corp and US Air Force as a Command Pilot with over 15,000 flying hours. He was an active member of the community, serving as Lake Lure Town Commissioner & Mayor Pro Tem, founder of Lake Lure Junior Police Youth Program, Kiwanis member, President Sunny View PTA, and President Sunny View Ruritan Club. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Air Force Association, and Retired Officers Association. Claude was a Charter Member of the Lake Lure Lions Club, serving as President, Secretary (20 years), Treasurer, and NC District Governor. A Celebration of Life service for family and friends will be held at Fairfield Mountains Chapel, 1384 Buffalo Creak Road, Lake Lure on Thursday, 3 Sept, 2009,at 4 PM presided by Reverend Everette Chapman. Military rites will be conducted by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials / donations may be made to North Carolina Lions Foundation, Hospice of Rutherford County, or the Fairfield Mountains Chapel.
October 5, 1920 - August 30, 200910/05/192008/30/2009
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Obituary

Retired Air Force Colonel Claude Rufus Nelon, 88, passed away peacefully Sunday, 30 Aug, 2009, at his home. He is survived by his wife Helen Mary Ganey Nelon of Lake Lure, two daughters Mary of Asheville and Suzanne of Rutherfordton and four sons Claude Jr. of Hurricane WV, David of Lake Lure, Richard of McKinney TX and Major (US Army) Patrick of Oahu Hi, twelve grandchildren, three great grand children. He was preceded in death by sons Robert and Randy. Claude was born on October 5, 1920 in Uree NC, currently Lake Lure. He was the oldest of twelve children born to the late Annie Mae Conner Nelon and Rufus Wilkebell Nelon. Claude was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Pauline Dotson and three brothers, Edward, Ernest and Richard. He is survived by five sisters, Myrtle Searcy of Asheville, Sarah Lawter of Bat Cave, Mary Jane Melton of Chimney Rock, Rosa Owensby of Hendersonville, Geneva Wilson of Rutherfordton, and two brothers, Sidney and Wade of Lake Lure. Claude was a veteran of three wars, serving 32 years from 1942 to 1974 in the Army Air Corp and US Air Force as a Command Pilot with over 15,000 flying hours. He was an active member of the community, serving as Lake Lure Town Commissioner & Mayor Pro Tem, founder of Lake Lure Junior Police Youth Program, Kiwanis member, President Sunny View PTA, and President Sunny View Ruritan Club. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Air Force Association, and Retired Officers Association. Claude was a Charter Member of the Lake Lure Lions Club, serving as President, Secretary (20 years), Treasurer, and NC District Governor. A Celebration of Life service for family and friends will be held at Fairfield Mountains Chapel, 1384 Buffalo Creak Road, Lake Lure on Thursday, 3 Sept, 2009,at 4 PM presided by Reverend Everette Chapman. Military rites will be conducted by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials / donations may be made to North Carolina Lions Foundation, Hospice of Rutherford County, or the Fairfield Mountains Chapel.

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Events

Sep
03
Service
Thursday, September 03 2009
04:00 PM
Fairfield Mountains Chapel
1384 Buffalo Creek Road
LAKE LURE, NC 28746
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