Dwight L. Brenneman

Dwight L. Brenneman, 89, of Grace Ridge, Morganton, NC died Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at the Burke Palliative Care Center in Valdese, NC. Born in Glen Rock, PA on August 29, 1920, he was the son of the late Norman Nathaniel Brenneman and Alta Vernette Lamison Brenneman. Dwight was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He was a US Army Air Corps veteran of WWII.In 1956 he moved to Morganton to establish Ralph Edwards State Forest Tree Nursery, which is now the Catawba Meadows Park. He concluded his 33 year career with the NC Forest Service leading the state’s reforestation research and improvement program. His passion for designing, building and growing things also is evident in landscaping at his home, church, and refuge in Avery County. Retirement gave him more time to paint in oils and acrylics.Dwight is survived by his wife, Martha Jean Sanders "Marty" Brenneman of the home; son, Dwight S. "Sandy" Brenneman and wife, Kathy, of Shelby, NC, Norman L. Brenneman and wife, Cindy, of Hillsborough, NC, and Curtis A. Brenneman of Morganton; a sister, Charlotte E. Brenneman of York, PA; grandchildren, Kristin Brenneman Eno, Claire Brenneman, Amy Brenneman, and Alan Brenneman; and great granddaughter, Marion Magnolia Eno.The service to celebrate Christ’s resurrection and Dwight’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 20, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Michael Bailey officiating. On Friday, March 19, 2010; from 4:00 until 5:00 p.m. the family will receive friends at the Grace Ridge Mezzanine, and later from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church Columbarium Fund, 100 Silver Creek Road, Morganton, NC 28655 or to the Grace Ridge Friendship or Scholarship Funds, 500 Lenoir Road, Morganton, NC 28655.