Winston-Salem Journal - journalnow.com
Obituaries
Church, Lonnie Fred
age 82, born 7/16/1924, died 4/22/2007, Clemmons, NC Forsyth Co. 27012
245-38-XXXX
CHURCH CLEMMONS - Mr.
Lonnie Fred Church, 82, of Clemmons died Sunday, April 22, 2007, at Forsyth
Medical
Center.
Mr. Church was born July 16, 1924, in Winston-Salem to Joe Glenn and Izella King
Church. Fred was retired from AT&T and was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II.
He served in Company 1, 13th Infantry, and was involved in many battles
throughout Europe, earning two
Purple Hearts and three
Bronze Stars for his
service for his country. He was a champion horseshoe and checker player. Fred
was the N.C. State Horseshoe Pitching Champion for three years and is in the
Hall of Fame for both horseshoes and checkers. He was preceded in death by his
parents; two brothers; and a sister. Surviving are his wife, Nancy Strader
Church, of the home; a daughter, Renee (Rick) Hermann; and a son, Mark Church,
all of Clemmons; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother,
Billy Church, of Winston-Salem. A private service will be conducted.
Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the Church family.
Published in the Winston-Salem Journal on 4/24/2007.
The Bronze Star Medal
is
a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration
which may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or
meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, it is the fourth highest
combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration
awarded in the name of the Pre
sident
to those who have been combat wounded or killed while serving with the
military. The Purple Heart is the oldest symbol and award that is still
given to members of the U.S. military, surpassed in history only by the long
obsolete Fidelity Medallion.
The Clemmons Courier
Obituaries - Week of May 3
Lonnie Fred Church
Lonnie Fred Church, 82, of Clemmons died
April 22 at Forsyth Medical Center. He was born July 16, 1924, in Winston-Salem
to Joe Glenn and Izella King Church. Fred was retired from AT&T and was a U.S.
Army Veteran of World War II. He served in Company 1, 13th Infantry, and was
involved in many battles throughout Europe, earning two Purple Hearts and three
Bronze Stars for his service for his country. He was a champion horseshoe and
checker player. He was the N.C. State Horseshoe Pitching Champion for three
years and is in the Hall of Fame for both horseshoes and checkers. He was
preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and a sister.
Surviving are his wife, Nancy Strader Church, of the home; a daughter, Renee
Hermann and husband Rick; and a son, Mark Church, all of Clemmons; five
grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Billy Church of
Winston-Salem. A private funeral service was held.
I remember Fred Church as a gentleman, an excellent checker player who supported our great mind sport. As secretary of NCCA, I have records showing Fred was played tournament checker in the mid-sixties (picture), and perhaps before that. He traveled the tournament circuit covering SC, VA, and NC. He was a member of ACF and a Life member of NCCA and always played our local and State tournaments. I recall he usually finished in the upper 1/3 of the field, and won the 1990 Major Championship in the "Carolina Open" our NC State Tournament and won the 2005 Burlington Tournament. Fred had a 1859 American Checker Federation rating. Fred was loved by all who knew him as a friend and especially those who played competitive checkers with him over his long tournament career. He will definitely leave a void in the North Carolina Checker Community.
Lifetime Membership In Memorial List