Owen W. Robertson, a 45 year member of the Sanford community,
was born Sept. 15, 1923 in Merigold, MS and passed on Sept. 1,
2007 at his home in Sanford .
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Nell Parmley
Robertson; parents, Paul and Clara Robertson; and brothers Paul
Jr., John Rodges and Glen. He is survived by his son, Michael
Robertson and wife Sheila and grandsons Eric and Chris Robertson
of Wendell and son, Brett Robertson and wife Lilla of Dhahran,
Saudi Arabia . Additional surviving family members are
sisters-in-law, Martha Robertson, Gerre Parmley Johnston and
Helen Parmley; brother-in-law, Ralph Parmley and nine nieces and
six nephews.
During his formative years, Owen became an Eagle Scout and
represented his home town American Legion Post by attending the
Mississippi Boys State in 1940. After graduating from high
school in Merigold, MS., where he played both football and in
the band, and upon the completion of one year of college at
Delta State Teachers College in Cleveland, MS. Robertson,
like many young men of the time, joined the military to serve to
his country at a time of war.
He jointed the U.S. Navy in early 1941 for four years on a
minority enlistment as an Apprentice Seaman. Owen re-enlisted
for two years during World War II and after serving six years
was discharged as a Chief Petty Officer in early 1947.
Even though discharged from active duty, he continued to serve
his country by participating in the Navy reserves for an
additional five years. During his six years of active duty in
the Navy, Robertson was involved in the invasion of North Africa
as a member of a Navy Armed Guard crew on board a Navy Troop
Ship where his ship was sunk out from under him.
Robertson later served on board an aircraft carrier in the South
Pacific from early 1943 until end of hostilities, where his ship
was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and 12 battle stars.
His ship was the first carrier to enter Tokyo Bay where they
witnessed the Japanese surrender. Robertson met his wife, also a
World War II Navy veteran, at the Naval Air Station in Banana
River, Fla.
After being discharged from the Navy, they attended college
together at Colorado State University on the G.I. Bill, where he
received his B.S. Degree in Animal Nutrition in 1950. Robertson
completed work toward his Master’s Degree in Agricultural
Economics at the University of Delaware , but was transferred
due to work obligations before obtaining the degree. Robertson
spent his life in Agribusiness working for several companies
involving cattle and lamb feed lot operations, and the feed
manufacturing industry throughout the United States.
Owen and his family made their last work related move when he
was transferred from Atlanta , Ga. to Sanford to open a new
feed mill on Mc Neill Road in late 1962. During his career,
Robertson was active in the American Association of Feed
Microscopists and also in the Carolina Feed Industry
Association, where he served one term as President, and after
retiring served as that Association’s Secretary and Treasurer
for 16 years. Robertson was on the initial Board of Directors of
the N.C. Poultry Federation. He was honored for his service to
Agribusiness by N.C. State by being inducted into the Gamma
Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture in 2001.
Locally, Owen belonged to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, where he
served two terms on the church vestry; served on the Sanford
Chamber of Commerce as President in 1970; and assisted on Eagle
Scout Board of Reviews in Sanford .
He was a devoted family man, father, and storyteller, and will
truly be missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 10 a.m.
Thursday,
Sept. 7, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church with a reception hosted
by the family immediately following the service at the church.
Memorials gifts may be made to the:
Lee County Library
107 Hawkins Ave.
Sanford , N.C. 27330
|
In Memory of
Owen W. Robertson |
