GASTONIA ~ Herbert C. "Skeets" Francum, 92, formerly of Gastonia, was a son of the late F.M. Francum, Sr. and Etta Beach Francum. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Loelle J. Francum; son John C. "Chris" Francum; and his brothers, Norva M., F.M., Jr., and John R. Francum; sister, Catherine Roberts.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church and a 50 year Mason in Holland Memorial Lodge 668.
Skeets served as a U.S. Navy submariner in WWII, where he saw much intense action aboard the USS Flasher, one of the most highly decorated submarines of the war. It received the Presidential Unit Cita-tion and six battle stars, and was credited with sinking more tonnage of Japanese shipping than any oth-er submarine. He was a founding member of the Gaston World War II Last Man Club.
He was also a true professional car salesman. After the war, there was a demand for automobiles in Gastonia, so he got his start in the business by traveling the country bringing back cars to town for resale. This led to a life-long career which included the position of sales manager at Lytle Buick-Pontiac and later, Powell Olds and Cadillac. He met many people over the years and most would say they remember him for his honesty and sense of humor that kept everyone laughing.
Ward Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Published in Gaston Gazette on May 18, 2014
He was a member of the First Baptist Church and a 50 year Mason in Holland Memorial Lodge 668.
Skeets served as a U.S. Navy submariner in WWII, where he saw much intense action aboard the USS Flasher, one of the most highly decorated submarines of the war. It received the Presidential Unit Cita-tion and six battle stars, and was credited with sinking more tonnage of Japanese shipping than any oth-er submarine. He was a founding member of the Gaston World War II Last Man Club.
He was also a true professional car salesman. After the war, there was a demand for automobiles in Gastonia, so he got his start in the business by traveling the country bringing back cars to town for resale. This led to a life-long career which included the position of sales manager at Lytle Buick-Pontiac and later, Powell Olds and Cadillac. He met many people over the years and most would say they remember him for his honesty and sense of humor that kept everyone laughing.
Ward Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Published in Gaston Gazette on May 18, 2014
GASTONIA ~ Herbert C. "Skeets" Francum, 92, formerly of Gastonia, was a son of the late F.M. Francum, Sr. and Etta Beach Francum. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Loelle J. Francum; son John C. "Chris" Francum; and his brothers, Norva M., F.M., Jr., and John R. Francum; sister, Catherine Roberts.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church and a 50 year Mason in Holland Memorial Lodge 668.
Skeets served as a U.S. Navy submariner in WWII, where he saw much intense action aboard the USS Flasher, one of the most highly decorated submarines of the war. It received the Presidential Unit Cita-tion and six battle stars, and was credited with sinking more tonnage of Japanese shipping than any oth-er submarine. He was a founding member of the Gaston World War II Last Man Club.
He was also a true professional car salesman. After the war, there was a demand for automobiles in Gastonia, so he got his start in the business by traveling the country bringing back cars to town for resale. This led to a life-long career which included the position of sales manager at Lytle Buick-Pontiac and later, Powell Olds and Cadillac. He met many people over the years and most would say they remember him for his honesty and sense of humor that kept everyone laughing.
Ward Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Published in Gaston Gazette on May 18, 2014
He was a member of the First Baptist Church and a 50 year Mason in Holland Memorial Lodge 668.
Skeets served as a U.S. Navy submariner in WWII, where he saw much intense action aboard the USS Flasher, one of the most highly decorated submarines of the war. It received the Presidential Unit Cita-tion and six battle stars, and was credited with sinking more tonnage of Japanese shipping than any oth-er submarine. He was a founding member of the Gaston World War II Last Man Club.
He was also a true professional car salesman. After the war, there was a demand for automobiles in Gastonia, so he got his start in the business by traveling the country bringing back cars to town for resale. This led to a life-long career which included the position of sales manager at Lytle Buick-Pontiac and later, Powell Olds and Cadillac. He met many people over the years and most would say they remember him for his honesty and sense of humor that kept everyone laughing.
Ward Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Published in Gaston Gazette on May 18, 2014
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