| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 22 Jan 2007.
Anna L. McGaha obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 4 Mar 2014.
WWII vet, Cecil Messer, celebrates 88th
LISBON, NORTH DAKOTA - He was a good old Cocke County boy of 18 when his invitation came from Uncle Sam to join the United States Army during World War II.
Cecil Messer, son of David and Winnie (Henderson) Messer, who now resides in Lisbon, North Dakota, turned 88 years old on Friday, March 7.
Born in the Hartford community, he grew up in Cocke County, never leaving for any length of time until his country needed him.
He traveled to Camp Weller in Georgia for his basic training and served with the 14th Armored Division from 1941 to 1945.
After finishing his basic training, he shipped out to Europe where he fought with his division in France and Germany.
Following the return of peace in 1945, Messer left the service for a short while, but then enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1947.
This time he served 18 months in Okinawa and was stationed at Rapid City, South Dakota for an additional three years.
In 1952, he crossed the Pacific Ocean to Koin Freizing. After his graduation, he served in Turkey for four years.
In 1962, he was sent to Minot, North Dakota, where he remained until his retirement in 1964. He then was a Civil Service employee for an additional 12 years.
He was married to the former Patricia Goodwin, whom he met in Minot, for 43 years. She died two years ago.
He has one living brother, Edgar Messer, of White Pine, and numerous nieces and nephews, who keep in contact by phone, letters, and visits.
His deceased siblings included Delilah Ball, Anna McGaha, Lydia Medley, Thurman Messer, and A. D. Messer.
He is a faithful reader of the Newport Plain Talk.
- [S112] Census, 1930.
Name: Cecil Messer
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1930
Event Place: District 11, Cocke, Tennessee
Gender: Male
Age: 4
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Birthplace: Tennessee
Birth Year (Estimated): 1926
Immigration Year:
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
District: 0020
Household ID: 114
Sheet Number and Letter: 6B
Line Number: 81
Affiliate Publication Number: T626, roll 2238
GS Film number: 2341972
Digital Folder Number: 4548152
Image Number: 00459
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head David Messer M 40 Tennessee
Wife Winnie Messer F 39 Tennessee
Daughter Dellia Messer F 14 Tennessee
Son Tharmon Messer M 12 Tennessee
Daughter Lydia Messer F 8 Tennessee
Son Cecil Messer M 4 Tennessee
Son Edgar Messer M 1 Tennessee
- [S112] Census, 1940.
Name: Cecil Messer
Titles & Terms:
Event: Census
Event Year: 1940
Event Place: Civil District 10, Cocke, Tennessee, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 14
Marital Status: Single
Race (Original):
Race (Standardized): White
Relationship to Head of Household (Original):
Relationship to Head of Household (Standardized): Son
Birthplace: Tennessee
Estimated Birth Year: 1926
Residence in 1935: Same Place
Enumeration District Number: 15-21
Family Number: 96
Sheet Number and Letter: 6B
Line Number: 73
NARA Publication Number: T627
NARA Roll Number: 3881
Digital Folder Number: 005461287
Image Number: 00627
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head David L Messer M 49 Tennessee
Wife Winnie Messer F 43 Tennessee
Son Cecil Messer M 14 Tennessee
Son Edgar Messer M 11 Tennessee
Son A D Messer M 5 Tennessee
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 28 May 2015.
Cecil Messer , age 89 , went to be with the Lord on April 30 , 2015 .
A World War II and Korean War veteran, he was born in Cocke County and lived here with his family until he was drafted at age 18. He married in Minot, North Dakota after retiring from the US Air Force. He and Pat, his wife of 50 years, made Minot their home.
He visited Newport as often as possible until his health no longer permitted, and he never stopped referring to himself as an "old Tennessee boy." After Pat's passing two years ago, Cecil moved to the North Dakota Veterans' Home in Lisbon, North Dakota. He was of the Baptist faith.
Cecil was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Goodwin Messer , his parents Dave and Winnie Henderson Messer , sisters Anna McGaha, Deliah Messer Ball, and Lydia Messer Medley; brothers Thurman Messer , Edgar Messer , and A. D. Messer ; nephews William David Messer , Roy Ball, R. J. Ball, and T. D. Ball, and nieces Betty Ball Ellis, Ida Lee Ball Messer , Irolla Ball Black, and Christine Medley Pruitt.
He is survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nephews, and many friends in Cocke County.
A full military service was held at the North Dakota Veterans' Home on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 , at 2:00 p.m. A memorial service was held at Pigeon Valley Baptist Church in Newport at 7:00 p.m. that same day. Brother Ransom Hall, a best friend since childhood, officiated at the memorial service.
He was laid to rest beside his wife in Minot, North Dakota on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 .
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name: David Messer
Birth Date:
Birthplace:
Age:
Spouse's Name: Winnie Henderson
Spouse's Birth Date:
Spouse's Birthplace:
Spouse's Age:
Event Date: 22 Nov 1913
Event Place: Cocke, Tennessee
Father's Name:
Mother's Name:
Spouse's Father's Name:
Spouse's Mother's Name:
Race:
Marital Status:
Previous Wife's Name:
Spouse's Race:
Spouse's Marital Status:
Spouse's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I03286-2
System Origin: Tennessee-EASy
GS Film number: 1928644
Reference ID: pg 345
|
Search | Advanced Search
1926 - 2015 (89 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
= Link to Google Maps