Clyde W. Gadd's Obituary
Gadd, Clyde w., 94, a long-time resident of St. Petersburg, died Jan. 28, 2011 of pneumonia at The Springs. Mr. Gadd and his wife, Frances, moved to St Petersburg in 1964, following his retirement from the US Army.
Mr. Gadd was born in McKendree, W.V., on July 19, 1916, the third son of John W. and Alice M. Gadd. From 1937-40 Mr. Gadd was employed by the Raine Coal and Lumber Co. at Duo, W.V., where he was a truck driver and later an engineer on a Shay steam locomotive. As an engineer, he acquired the nickname "Casey", (after legendary engineer, Casey Jones). He proudly bore the name for the rest of his life.
Mr. Gadd enlisted in the Army in 1940and in 1942, he married Evelyn Frances Osborne, of Duo, W.V. During WWII, he served with the 141st Anti-Aircraft Artillery (90-mm) and the 550th Field Artillery in France, Belgium and Germany during 1944-45. He later served with the Coast Artillery, and in 1946 he joined the newly formed Army Security Agency, where he served for 18 years. During his 24-year military career, Mr. Gadd's duty stations included Vint Hill Farms Station, V.A., Clark Air Force Base, Philippine Islands, Fort Devens, M.A. and Helemano Military Reservation, Hawaii. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service and the American Defense Service Medal. He was a proficient marksman and qualified as an "Expert" with the .45cal.submachine gun and the .45 cal. semiautomatic pistol. He was a member of the First Army Pistol team in 1955-57 and the U.S. Army Security Agency Pacific Team in 1958-60. He retired from the Army in 1964 with the rank of Sergeant Major (E-9). Mr. and Mrs. Gadd moved to Kenneth city in 1965 with their sons, Kenneth and Dennis and daughter, Peggy. Mr. Gadd worked for the U.S. Postal Service from 1966-79, as a postal clerk in the St Petersburg main Post Office. He was an avid sportsman and played catcher for the Duo (W.V.) Tigers baseball team in the late '30s. He also enjoyed bowling, golf and fishing for more than 40 years. In 1979-80, he pitched for the "Pels" in the St. Petersburg "Half-Century" Softball Club at the age of 64. Mr. Gadd also enjoyed color photography and wood working projects. In addition, each morning he eagerly solved the cryptogram puzzle in the St. Petersburg Times and most evenings he watched "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy." Mr. Gadd enjoyed playing cards and Cribbage and UNO were his favorite games. In 2002, Mr. and Mrs. Gadd fulfilled their long-time dream of taking a cruise to Alaska, accompanied by four family members.
He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Claude and Hayden, of Alderson, W.V. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Frances, and their devoted children, Kenneth Gadd (wife, Phyllis), Broad Run, VA.., Peggy Richter (husband, Dave), Conifer, CO., and Dennis Gadd, Pinellas Park, Fl. Additional survivors include four grandsons, Anthony Spinner, (fiancee, Joyce), St Petersburg, Fl., Michael Gadd (wife, Terri), Winchester, VA., Steve Gadd (wife, Ayda), Reston, V.A., and Jeffrey Gadd, Dillwyn, VA., and three great grandchildren, Amanda and Joel of Winchester, VA. and Aslan f Reston, VA. A viewing will be held Thursday 2/3 from 10-11:00AM with a service at 11:00AM at Memorial Park Funeral Home with Pastor Richard Franz, Central Christian Church, officiating. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Central Christian Church
6161 22nd Avenue North St. Petersburg, Fl 33710
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