Pelham (Buddy) L. Felder III, Colonel, US Army Retired, passed away the evening of December 8, 2008. A memorial service will be held at St. Phillips Episcopal Church, 142 Church St., Charleston, S.C., on December 22, 2008 at 2:30 pm. Reception following in the parish hall. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery later in the Spring. Pelham was born April 2, 1928 in Orangeburg, S.C., son of the late Pelham L. Felder II and Nelle Chambers Felder. As a child he was educated in the Orangeburg County schools. He graduated from The Citadel in 1949 with a BS in Chemistry. Colonel Felder accepted his commission in the U.S. Army in 1949. His successful military career included combat in the Korean War, commands in Europe and Asia, and management of air defense weapons development programs. While assigned to the Pentagon, he was instrumental in the development of the first heat-seeking missile and origination of the Patriot Missile concept. After retirement from the military, Pelham combined his professional knowledge of metallurgy and chemistry with his artistic abilities to create fine art in pewter. He opened his first shop, Fredericksburg Pewter, in Fredericksburg, VA in 1977, and later relocated his studio to Charleston, S.C. During his 31 years as a pewtersmith he became an internationally recognized craftsman and well known among the Charleston artisans for his wealth of knowledge, innovative techniques and willingness to teach others. He was a member of the International Pewter Guild and the SAR- Sons of the American Revolution. Predeceased in death by his son, Major Pelham L. Felder IV; and his sisters, Cornelia (Neechie) Felder Michel, Nelle Chambers Cease and Sybil Felder Cease. Survived by sister, Eunice Felder Aukerman, Atlanta, Ga. Survived by his remaining children, Christian Chambers Felder, Robin Allen Felder, Pauline Felder, Anne Felder, six grandchildren, and his beloved cat, Samantha (she-devil) Felder. Arrangements by DUKES-HARLEY FUNERAL HOME. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths. Tags: 1943
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