Delmar Dean "Don" Coursey

Delmar Dean "Don" Coursey, 83, of NC 181, Morganton, NC passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, January 12, 2007 following a brief illness. Born in West Plains, MO on October 27, 1923, he was the son of the late Emery Allen Coursey and Stella Chestnut Coursey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Ann Coursey, and two brothers, Laverne and Wayne Coursey.

Throughout his life, Don was proud to have served his country, along with all three of his brothers, in World War II. He received the EAME Theater Ribbon with five Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, The French Citation, and a WWII Victory Medal for service on the beaches of Normandy. After serving his country, Don settled on Lake Erie in Lorain, OH where he worked for the C&O and B&O Railroad until his retirement in 1978. While in Lorain he served as vice president of the Great Lakes Longshoremen Union. Don trained bird-dogs which won the first ever National Pheasant Championship in New York. Following his retirement he moved to Morganton and began farming. He began with cattle, but for the past eighteen years has become locally famous for this sweet corn and fresh produce. For a brief time Don owned and operated a barbeque restaurant in Corneleus, NC called The Southern Café. Mr. Coursey was very active in his community. He was a member of and served on the board of the Oak Hill Fire Department and the Farm Bureau. He was also a member of the Oak Hill Ruritan and Mtn. Grove United Methodist Church.

Don is survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Nina Harris Coursey of the home; a daughter, DeEtte Coursey Conner and husband, Doug, of Morganton; sons, Allen Dean Coursey and wife, Laurie, of Morganton and Larry Dean Coursey and wife, Susie, of Lorain, OH; grandchildren, Kristopher, Deanna, and Shelly; great-grandchilren, Makayla, Katelynn, Sidney, Olivia, Kristopher, Morgan, and Tyler; a very special sister-in-law, Linda Curtis; a brother, Orvis Coursey of Sebastian, FL; and a sister, Louise Hanley of Oolitic, IN.

The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, January 15, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Ralph May officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery with graveside rites to be performed by the Valdese American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home. They will also receive friends one hour prior to the service on Monday at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the residence, 5342 NC 181, Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mountain Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 3624 Fish Hatchery Road, Morganton, NC 28655.