Monday, October 27, 2008

Goodbye, Grandpa Kersey

My Grandpa died. He lived a very full life, and it was simply his time to go. His 87th birthday would have been next week, and he and Grandma would have reached their 65th wedding anniversary in a couple of months. Not long ago, he was in the hospital, and his main concern was for my Grandma. "Who's going to stay with Grandma? I want someone to spend the night with Grandma." He didn't want her to have to be alone. That is a lifetime of love and commitment.
We have a huge family and have not been all together, all at once, since their 60th wedding anniversary so it will be really nice to see everyone. Seems so inadequate to describe someone's life in the span of an obituary, but here it is:

Everett E. "Bob" Kersey

Nov. 2, 1921 - Oct. 24, 2008
Everett Kersey, 86, of College Station passed away Friday, October 24, 2008.

Everett was born November 2, 1921, to James Everett and Bertha Sullivan Kersey. Bob and his brothers were born and raised in the vicinity of Riverton, Red Cloud, and Grand Island, Neb. In 1938, he left the farm and went to college at University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He went through Navy cadet training and, in 1943, he became a Marine pilot. In 1944-45, Bob was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for aerial flights during World War II.

During college, Bob met Dorothy Joan Bierbower, and they were married December 11, 1943. In 1949, he completed a Master's degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. From there, the family proceeded to Orange, Texas. Bob went to work for DuPont de Nemours- Sabine River Works where he worked as the maintenance superintendent, production supervisor and safety superintendent. Besides work at the plant, Bob's 33 years in Orange were spent with a growing family, lectoring and Cursillo work at St. Mary's Catholic Church. After that time, he built a house in College Station after several of his children became Aggies.

Everett will be missed. He was a real "go to" guy, whether it was for family or work. He kept his brothers in line in college, he mended our dolls, built doghouses, and, in the last year decided to try improving the medical equipment he had to use. Engineers are so happy when there is something to fix.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Doyle Kersey and Duane Kersey; and infant sister, Karen Elizabeth. Survivors include his wife, Joan Bierbower Kersey; ten children, Mary Tabor, Michael Kersey, Kathleen Shearer, Robert Kersey, Richard Kersey, Steven "Randie" Kersey, James Kersey, Patricia Riley, Edward Kersey, and Joan Rudd; 29 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Arden "Uncle Scotty" Kersey of Abilene.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a great Man. I am sorry for your loss.
I wonder if he knew Pappy Boyington from the Black Sheep squadron.

El Jefe Maximo said...

That sounds like a very well-lived life. Obituaries do seem inadequte, possibly more so in this case considering all the material his life provided to work with.

Ellen, Chief Tea Officer said...

My condolences again, Caroline. Looks like he was a real stand-up guy. Ahh... 'twas a simpler time his day... you met a guy in college and married him, had a big family and lived happily ever after *sigh*

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. {{{LOTS OF HUGS}}}

margie said...

Hi Caroline: I am your great Uncle Scott's youngest daughter Margie. I learned today of Aunt Joan's passing. I am so saddened by the news. I have such great memories of time spent in Orange Texas with Uncle Bob, Joan and all the cousins. They both will be greatly missed.

Candidly Caroline said...

Thank you, Margie. I'll pass your message along to my mom, also. Grandma was such an example of kindness and a wonderful person. I hope that is something we can all gain from her life.

Anonymous said...

Margie, please tell Kathleen your address & phone number she needs to give this contact info to a relative.

Kathleen.
Hi Caroline.

Anonymous said...

Everett flew a Corsair. He was dissappointed to have to stop flying and get married & settle down. He would have rather flown forever. but he got over that, and went on to better plans. OTO, now he can fly forever.