Clifford Curtis Letson – Obituary

Clifford Curtis Letson, 98, passed away Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at Lawrence Medical Center. Visitation will be from noon until 1:45 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, 2017, at Lawrence Funeral Home. The graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at Moulton Memory Gardens with Chris Godbee officiating. Clifford was born on Aug. 15, 1918, to Allison Oden and Nellie Sparks Letson in Courtland, Lawrence County, Alabama. His first job was alongside his father at Littrell Saw Mill where, after the first week, he was earning more than his father due to his ability to repair the machines. He began working with his cousin Doc Richardson at Richardson Chevrolet Company in Moulton. On Dec. 21, 1941, he left his job to enlist in the Army/Air Force serving as a staff sergeant travelling through South America, Africa, and Europe. He lived primarily in Naples, Italy for most of his service. While in Italy he visited Pompeii and climbed Mt. Vesuvius and looked down into the volcano. On July 10, 1943, while the Allied Forces were retaking Sicily, German bombers hit the boat adjacent to him. While under fire from the German bombers, he pulled over 23 men from the water to safety. Sergeant Letson was awarded the Silver Star by President Roosevelt for his gallantry. While in service he dreamed of returning home, starting a family, and living next to his brother even though the Army had offered him the position of head aircraft mechanic at the air base in Mississippi. However, he chose to return to his job at Richardson Chevrolet. Soon thereafter he worked for Chemstrand in Decatur until he retired. He developed numerous automotive patents and became the first certified teacher in Lawrence County teaching auto mechanics at the trade school until he retired to farm full time.

Survivors include his son, Mark Letson (Tisha); daughter, Joyce Ann Letson; grandsons, Michael Dan Letson and Sawyer Letson; granddaughters, Cyndi Kelley (Andy) and Sailor Letson; great-granddaughter, Payton Kelley; sister, Annie Hill; and comme un fils (like a son), Chuck Winton.