GORDON E. TALTON
May 24, 1914 - Nov. 21, 2006
Gordon Eldridge Talton, 92, died Tuesday morning at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
He was born in Wayne County to the late Barney Talton and Ada King Talton. He was married to the late Virginia Sasser Talton, Helen Kannon Talton and Erma Rutledge Talton.
Graveside services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Wayne Memorial Park with the Rev. Doug Johnson officiating.
Mr. Talton served with the Navy during World War II on the USS England (Destroyer Escort 635). The England set a record in anti-submarine warfare never matched by any other American ship. The USS England received a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy. Mr. Talton suffered injuries after a Kamikaze struck his ship, but persevered to help battle the fires and render aid to his fellow sailors.
After serving honorably with the Navy, he began working at Earl Thompson, Inc. Mr. Talton became the President and CEO in 1963 and under his leadership became the largest east coast Quaker State Oil distributor. After 40 years with the company, Mr. Talton retired to play more golf where he achieved a hole in one at the young age of 80.
Mr. Talton is survived by his daughter, Donna Stewart and husband, Eddie, of Goldsboro; his son, Gordon Michael Talton of Goldsboro; his brother, Raymond Talton of Hudson; four grandchildren, Todd, Nick, and Joe Stewart, and Melissa Talton; and two great-grandchildren, Austin and Raven Stewart.
He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Edna Gray Denning and Doris Brinson and a brother, Willard Talton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jefferson United Methodist Church, 1100 N. Jefferson Avenue, Goldsboro, 27534 or to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 2402 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, 27534.
The family will receive friends at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Eddie Stewart, 106 Yelverton Place, Goldsboro
Arrangements are with Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
(Written & Paid by the Family)
Published in Obituaries on November 22, 2006 1:46 PM