Mr. Howard Franklin Golden, age 93 passed away peacefully at his residence at Parkwood Place, Wednesday, October 3, 2012. Mr. Golden was born March 30, 1919 in Elkin to Thomas H. and Annice Lee Golden. He was retired from Chatham Mfg. Co. in Elkin after 40 years of service and was a member of First Baptist Church of Elkin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years Lucile Cockerham Golden, brothers Thomas Lee Golden, Bill Golden and Bob Golden and first wife Gladys Bell Golden. Mr. Golden proudly served in the Marine Corps. in WWII. He was involved in the Pacific Campaign, fighting in the Battle of Sugar Loaf Hill with the field artillery, and was a member of the newly formed Sixth Division on Guadalcanal. Later he served as an M.P. on mainland China. He was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Corporal. After the war, he returned home, bringing outstanding mechanical aptitude and skill to his job at Chatham's. Upon retirement he greatly enjoyed antiquing and restoring furniture. He loved a good joke and making those around him smile. He was loved and respected by friends and family alike and lived a long and happy life. Mr. Golden is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Davis and husband Tony of Rougemont; step daughters Debbie Long Bell and husband Mike of Columbia, SC and Betsy Long Furr and husband Bobby of Matthews; sister Mary Ruth Watson and husband Haywood of Clemmons; grandchildren Kim Hicks and husband Adam of Burlington and Corey McKinney of Henderson; step grandchildren Leanne Bell Sheik and husband Justin of Matthews, Blair Bell Nelson and husband Jacob of Columbia, SC and Morgan Furr of Charleston, SC; great grandchildren Sloan Cox and Ashley Cox; step great grandchild Blakeley Sheik; and nephew Ronnie Hanes and wife Lynn of Hamptonville for their attentive support and dedication. A funeral service to celebrate the life of Mr. Golden will be conducted Friday, October 5, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of First Baptist Church, Elkin with Dr. Bill Johnson and Dr. Rick Bennett officiating. Burial will follow in Hollywood cemetery with full military honors provided by Yadkin VFW post 10346. The family would like to thank the staff at Parkwood Place and all of Mr. Golden's caregivers, especially Judy Jennings, Sandy Butler and Ron Murphy for their love and care. The family requests memorials be made to the VFW-Poppy Fund Memorial; PO Box 336, Yadkinville NC 27055.
