Henry “Ford” Carver, 95, of Buckhannon, W.Va., died Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, at the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, W.Va.
He was born Nov. 28, 1922, in Flemming, Ky., a son of the late Edgar and Vera Hall Carver.
He was named after the Ford Motor Company owner, who was expected at Edgar’s job site for a meeting on the day of his birth. Mr. Ford didn’t show up, but Baby Henry Ford did, and thus that became his name.
On July 17, 1971, he married Phyllis Charlene Merritt, who survives.
He is also survived by one son, James Commerford; four daughters, Mary Adams and Teresa Rix, both of Florida, Debbie Carpenter and husband Larry and Karen Donaldson, all of Buckhannon; one grandson, Sean Ford and wife Lindsey of Buckhannon; four granddaughters, Dr. Lynsey Cress and husband Rob of Buckhannon, Colleen Seldin and husband Drew, Kelley Tiscornia and husband Larry and Siobahn Weinstein and husband Steve, all of New Jersey; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Daniel “Sonny” Carver and wife Betty of Florida and Donald Carver of California; and two sisters, Nedra Carvajal of North Carolina and Teresa Mullett of Ohio.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert L. and Edsel S. Carver, and three sisters, Dorothy Whitaker, Esther Lapelusa and Geraldine Vincitore.
Mr. Carver Enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. on Aug. 8, 1942 and was Honorably discharged on Nov. 10, 1945. He spent most of that time on the USS Hermitage.
Ford was a highly intelligent man and even though he didn’t graduate from college, during his employment at Pratt & Whitney as an Instrument Technician in the Instrument Technician Lab, he was invited into the MENSA organization. He turned this down however, because he was insecure about his ability to live up to their expectations.
On May 29, 1946, he started a watch repair and watchmaking course, after his discharge from the Marine Corp. in 1945, and graduated on Dec. 1, 1947. He spent several years in New Jersey working as a watch repairman.
On April 16, 2011, he went on an all expenses paid Honor Flight to Washington DC as a World War II Honoree. In 2018 he received a Quilt of Valor from the Quilts of Valor Foundation, in recognition of his service and sacrifice for this nation.
Mr. Carver was a member of the Frank B. Bartlett Post 7 American Legion and the Franklin Lodge 7 A.F. & A.M.
He loved his family, his country and most of all God. Next to his wife and children his grandchildren were extra-special to him.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Buckhannon with Pastor Rick Cutright officiating. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. in the Buckhannon Veterans Cemetery in Buckhannon. The Upshur County Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the graveside.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Brushy Fork Road, PO Box 205 Buckhannon, WV 26201.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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