Cecil “Clyne” Case, 82, of Mathews, was born in the mountains of North Carolina in a small community known as Spring Creek. He died Oct. 21, 2014.
He was dedicated to his wife and children as well as his work. He worked five and six days a week coming home at night and on weekends doing welding and fabricating for the locals such as making stainless steel boat mufflers for the watermen and repairing farming equipment.
A veteran of the Korean War, he was shot while serving our country and received a Purple Heart. On coming home from the military, he married and left the mountains for employment. His first job was with the Horne Brothers Corporation, a small company that did ship repairs for our government. After a number of years there, he left to start his own company with two other individuals doing government contract work for NASA at Langley Field. In 1982, NASA recruited him as “Chief” Welding Inspector (CWI- Level 1), the highest level that can be achieved. Retiring in 1994, he acquired many awards and achievements and was well known throughout the NASA family for his standards of quality and excellence.
He had a passion for hunting and fishing, passing that passion on to his children and his grandchildren. He was a Master Turkey Hunter, acquiring many trophies for both turkey and deer. His long time hunting companions were Wayne Buchanan and Charles Brooks. His closest friends were Ray and Shirley Waldroup of Tennessee and his nephew, Jennings Plemmons of Clyde, N.C.
“Clyne” was preceded in death by his loving wife, Bertha “Bert” Martin Case. They were married for almost 52 years and she was the love of his life. Also preceding in death were his mother, Cleo (Brown) Hubbard; his father, Thomas Leo Keener; stepfather, Benjamin McLarty “Doc” Case; his brother, William Craig Brown, and his granddaughter, Melanie “Meme” Case.
Left behind to carry on his name as well as his life and loving memories are his children: Michael Case (fiancée Sharon Blankenship), Melody Litwinski (husband Ron), Jimmy Case (wife Tina), Marty Case (wife Ginger), and his beloved little dog, “Tootie.”
“Poppa Case” loved each and every one of his grandchildren, Marsha Rice (husband Stacey), Melanie Case (deceased), David Case, Jeff Goodwin, Cindy Boyce (husband Aron), Amanda Case, Kate Case, Olivia Case and Emily Case.
Dad is survived by three sisters and one brother, Mary (Case) Morrison of San Antonio, Tex., Beverley (Keener) Caldwell and Rose (Keener) Kuykendall (both of Asheville, N.C.), and Tom Keener of Leicester, N.C.
Along with 11 great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces, Dad also leaves behind a large part of his wife’s family. There was a special place in Dad’s heart for each and every one. He loved and considered them HIS family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad for whose services we are very grateful.
Visitation was at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, with memorial service at 6 o’clock in the Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home Chapel, Mathews. There will also be a graveside service in August 2015 in Spring Creek, N.C., at Liberty Baptist Cemetery.