New Bern resident, Jack Pearson Huddle, died in his home on March 16, 2012. Jack was born December 15, 1927 in Williamson, West Virginia. He was predeceased by his parents Carl Boston and Katherine Huddle. He is survived by his wife of 52 years Barbara Clinkscales Huddle, his son Harris Pearson Huddle, his son Carl Clinkscales Huddle and wife Kimberly of New Bern, his daughter Allison Huddle Smith and husband Alton Battle Smith, Jr. of Raleigh, his grandchildren Edward Edgerton Smith (Ward), Alton Battle Smith III, Katherine Allison Smith, Katherine Campbell Huddle and Jack Clinkscales Huddle, his sister Dorothy Huddle Barnes, his nephew Reverend Robert Joseph Schneider and many cousins. All of whom would like the community to know how interesting, thoughtful, and generous he was. Jack played football for Beaver High School in Bluefield, West Virginia. During senior year (1946-1947) his team was undefeated and attracted the attention of several colleges. Jack was contacted by the Citadel and given a full scholarship to play football. He played on the starting line-up all four years and was elected Captain of the football and wrestling teams his senior year. As a cadet he studied civil engineering, was an officer on the Fourth Battalion Staff, selected as a distinguished military student, and chosen as “Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges.” He entered the US Army Corps of Engineers as a 2nd Lt. in 1951 and served tours of duty in Japan then South Korea (behind Pork Chop Hill). He was responsible for the construction of roads, drainage structures, and buildings through mountainous terrain. While serving in South Korea he obtained the rank of Captain and was discharged in 1954. He returned to The Citadel and worked for the Athletic Department as the football team’s assistant line coach and head wrestling coach in 1954-1955 prior to pursuing his career in engineering and construction. He worked for Davis & Floyd Engineers in Greenwood, SC from 1956-1963. In 1963 he received Professional Engineer (PE) and Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) licenses in the States of South Carolina and Georgia. He was responsible for project management, engineering and surveying for major heavy civil projects throughout Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. From 1963-1964 he worked for the Dept. of the Navy’s construction division as an engineer for the Officer in Charge of Construction at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC. He administered and supervised the completion of a wide variety of contract construction projects. In 1964 he received PE and PLS licenses in the State of North Carolina. Jack moved his family to New Bern, NC in 1965 and ventured into a construction business partnership. That partnership was later incorporated as Trader Construction Co. and grew into a large business concern providing heavy civil construction services primarily in NC. While raising a family and becoming a successful businessman, he was a faithful member of Centenary United Methodist Church, serving on the Board of Trustees. He was actively involved with the Salvation Army and served on the Board for many years. He was a member of the New Bern Rotary Club, the Association of General Contractors, and a lifetime member of the Citadel’s Brigadier Club. In 1997, he was inducted into The Citadel’s “Athlete Hall of Fame.” He was named Small Business Person of the Year by New Bern Chamber of Commerce and was a Paul Harris Fellow in the Rotary Club. He was also active in the community coaching football and wrestling for many years where he shared his knowledge and enthusiasm for both sports. He was respectful of and supported many regional townships, organizations, schools, and sports teams with donations, labor, materials, and equipment. He was an avid outdoorsman caring especially to hunt and fish with his friends and family. Many local folks will remember the fishing adventures they experienced on his boat “Builder’s Choice” and the hunting trips he accommodated on the Core Sound. Above all, however, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He proudly watched his children and grand children grow up on the waters of the Trent River while remaining faithfully in love with his wife Barbara. He was the finest of men. He will be genuinely missed by his friends, family, and peers. His funeral will be held at 2:00pm, on Monday, March 19, 2012, at Centenary United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at the home of Carl and Kim Huddle, 117 Trent Shores Drive on Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 309 New Street, New Bern, NC 28563 and the Salvation Army, PO Drawer E, New Bern, NC 28563. Friends are invited to share memories and sign the online guest book by visiting www.pollockbest.com Pollock-Best Funerals & Cremations has the honor of serving The Huddle Family. Tags: 1951
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