Family and friends of Edward Y. Given, Sr. are saddened by his passing on Jan. 7, 2013, at the age of 94. He was born on Aug. 11, 1918, in Philadelphia, Pa., to William and Alberta Given.
Ed grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1934. After high school, he worked several places before entering an apprentice program to be a tool and die maker. This led to a career at the Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia, where, after almost 30 years and being promoted several times to his last position as Division Chief for procurements, he retired at the age of 57, in 1975.
Drafted by the U.S. Navy in 1944, he served aboard the USS Gherardi, a destroyer mine sweeper, in the Pacific and participated in clearing Tokyo Bay for the final surrender and occupation of Japan.
Ed married Clara in 1941 in Philadelphia. They were happily married for 71 years. Ed was a member of Oasis Shiners, Charlotte, N.C., Kedron 0387 Masonic Lodge, Hendersonville, Past Grand Master of the Newton, Pa. Masonic Lodge, and a member of the United Methodist Church. He enjoyed traveling in his Airstream throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and traveled many places abroad. He loved to play the organ and keyboard. He golfed, square danced, was a ham radio operator, and enjoyed working with his cameras and video equipment.
Ed is survived by his wife, Clara; daughter, Dale Lighthall, of Florida; his son, Ed Jr. and wife, Vickie, of South Carolina; sisters Betty McLaughlin and Evie Bilyew, both of Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Eve Given Nasby, of California, Raymond Lighthall, of Arkansas, Ron Lighthall, of Florida, Robin Lighthall Grodecky, of Florida, Renee Lighthall Nuorimo, of Massachusetts; step-grandson, Jeremie Adams, of Indiana; 12 great-and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was a devoted, loving husband and father, helpful and caring, even tempered and happy. He accepted life as it came and lived it to the fullest.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at Balfour United Methodist Church, 2529 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Ed’s honor be made to Shiners Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, Fla. 33607 and/or Elizabeth House, Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, N.C.
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Edward Y. Given, Sr. 94
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