Plankowner
Posts: 5024
Location: Gulfport, MS | Subject: Obit Messenger results for 04/09/08.
MASTERSON, III, Walter Edward, 87, of Durham, N.C., passed away suddenly on April 5, 2008. He was born on June 22, 1920, in Philadelphia, Pa., to Walter E. Masterson Jr. and Alberta Forderer Masterson. Walter graduated in 1938 from Northeast Catholic High School, Philadelphia, Pa., and went on to a 14-year career as a pitcher in professional baseball. He played for the Washington Senators from 1938 to 1948, Boston Red Sox from 1949-1950, was traded back to the Senators in 1951 and finished his career with the Detroit Tigers in 1956. He fanned Mickey Mantle five times in a row in 1951. He was selected twice to the American League All Star Team, once in 1947, and was the starting pitcher in 1948. His career was interrupted during World War II while he served his country in the US Navy Submarine Force-Pacific. In 1943, while stationed in Hawaii, he was awarded the "Athlete of the Year." Longtime friend Ted Williams hired Walter as the Texas Rangers pitching coach in 1972. From 1980 to 1981, he was the head coach for George Mason University's baseball team. Upon retiring from baseball, he continued his success in the business world and was named East Coast regional vice president for ADM. Walter was inducted into the Northeast Catholic High School Hall of Fame in 1997. He was a longtime member of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. In retirement Walter continued his passion for the game by his involvement in youth baseball activities. He was a great storyteller, an avid golfer, sportsman, a voracious reader and classical jazz enthusiast. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the baseball community. He is predeceased by his parents and brother, Edwin Masterson. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 66 years, Virginia Alice Masterson of Durham, NC, his children, Walter E. Masterson IV of Vienna, Va., and Patricia Masterson Elliott and husband, Craig, of Oriental, N.C. Additionally, Walter is survived by his grandchildren, Tiffany Dixon, Brendan Masterson, Frances Masterson, Kelly Godwin, Virginia Godwin; great-grandsons, John Masterson Dixon, Trevor Dixon, Tyler Dixon, Logan Masterson, Liam Masterson; niece and nephews, Debbie Curtis, Mark Masterson, Ed Masterson, Andy Masterson; and sister-in-law, Betty Curtis, and husband, James Thomas. Visitation will be held at Cotten Funeral Home, New Bern, N.C., on April 9, 2008, from 6 to 8 pm. Funeral Mass service will be held at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, New Bern, N.C., on April 10, 2008, at 1 p.m. with Fr. Paul Mizener officiating. Military honors including a 21-gun salute will be provided by the Pamlico County Veterans Honor Guard. A reception will follow immediately at the St. Paul's Church Family Center. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Northeast Catholic High School Tuition Fund, 1842 E. Torresdale Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19124-4418, attn: Stan Witalec. Arrangements by Cotton Funeral Home and Crematory.
SCHMALTZ, Ralph, 59, died Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at his home in Goose Creek, SC. Ralph was born May 24, 1949 in Bridgman, Michigan son of Johanna Hassler Ott of Zephyrhills, FL and the late Ralph Rhine Schmaltz. He was a 1967 graduate of Bridgman High School where he held several of the school's track and field records. He later served as a fire control petty officer in the U.S. Navy submarine force. Ralph was a project manager at Centurum, Inc. Ralph has coached many sports including soccer, baseball, basketball, and currently served at the president of Goose Creek United Youth Soccer Club. He was an avid University of Michigan sports and NASCAR fan. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Sue Campbell Schmaltz; two sons, Dennis Schmaltz and his wife Jennifer, of Summerville, Kyle Schmaltz of Goose Creek; three daughters, Leslie Adams and her husband Thomas of Michigan, Shannon Harley of Alabama, and Jodee Lambert of Florida and his mother and step-father, Lester and Johanna Ott. Also surviving are eight grandchildren; a sister, Lorraine Freyer of Arizona; and five step-siblings, Debbie Cook of Florida, Lester C. Ott, currently in Iraq, Sharon Parkins of Michigan and Jim Ott of Florida The family and friends will gather for the visitation on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 o'clock at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Goose Creek Chapel, 100 S. Goose Creek Blvd. The funeral service will be Friday at 2:00 o'clock in the funeral home. Ralph's neighbor and friend, Pastor Roy Stockman, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ralph's memory are requested to Kyle Petty's Victory Junction Youth Camp, 4500 Adam's Way, Randleman, NC 27317 or at www.victoryjunction.org. Online condolences may be forwarded to the family at info@mcalister-smith.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.
|
Obit Messenger results for 04/09/08.
