Welcome! Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | Login | Register
   
Thomas "Happy Hal" Dedmon

Thomas "Happy Hal" Dedmon passed away on June 20, 2019 at age 97. Born in Cleveland County on January 16, 1922, Hal was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Lawson Dedmon and Verdie Mae Horn Dedmon. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Sarah Blanton Dedmon; three children: Caroline, Tom, and Ted (Karen) Dedmon; three grandchildren: Noah, Michael, and Anna Marie Dedmon; a brother and sister: Roy Dedmon and Lou Jean Hamrick; and many nieces, nephews and special friends.

Hal was reared in the Ross Grove community and attended Ross Grove School. He graduated from Fallston High school in 1939 and attended Boiling Springs Jr. College

(now Gardner-Webb University) until he was inducted into the 416th Bomb Group, 9th Division of the US Air Force in 1942. His group loaded bombs onto the airplanes and were stationed in England, France, and Germany during his military tenure. Hal was discharged in 1949 and returned to Shelby where he married Sarah Caroline Blanton of Lattimore. He continued his education at Howard's Business College.

Happy Hal was involved in athletics throughout his life. He played professional baseball with the Boston Braves, the Shelby Farmers, the High Point Hi Toms, and the Rutherford County Owls. He was assistant coach with "Pop" Simmons for the American Legion baseball team (1954-55) and coached the KM Legion team in 1955. In that same year, Hal took the Athletic Director's position at the Shelby City Park, doing the things he loved most. He developed and coached programs for children and adults as well. He started the Early Morning Milers adult exercise program and a fitness program for ladies. He was in charge of football, basketball, and baseball programs for the local youths. He started a group of Golden Gloves boxing and was Director of the Shelby Boys Club. One of his greatest joys was working with young people. Hal left the City Park in 1967 to take a position with the NC Probation and Parole Department in Western North Carolina and retired in 1985.

Besides his love of baseball, Hal was also an avid golfer. He had 5 hole in ones and played golf every chance he got. He was a regular at the Royster Golf Course. His nickname "Happy Hal" came from that ever present smile that he gave to everyone. He always just seemed to be naturally happy.

Hal loved being a part of and serving his community. He was a member of the Shelby Lions Club and was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellows award by Lions International in 2002-2003. He was a member of the VFW, DAV, the Lattimore Historical Society, Cleveland County Sr. Golf Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, NC Sheriff's Association. He was recognized as the Director of Outstanding Service to the Youth of Shelby and Cleveland Co. in1965 by the Parks and Recreation Commission. In 1993 he was inducted into the Cleveland County Sports Hall of Fame. The circle around the ball fields at the City Park was named "Happy Hal Circle" in his honor. He was a lifelong member of the Democratic Party and was chairman of the Cleveland County Ombudsman's Committee which he received an award for his service from the Cleveland County Commissioners.

Hal's greatest love though was for his family and his church. He was a lifelong member at Ross Grove Baptist Church where at age 12 he earned $0.25 per week for cleaning the church and ringing the bell. He later served the church as Deacon, Church Clerk, Cemetery Committee Chairman, Building Committee Chairman, Sunday School Director, and served on various committees. He started the Royal Ambassadors group at Ross Grove.

A celebration of life was held on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at Ross Grove Baptist Church, 1225 Fallston Road, Shelby, NC 28150 at 2:00 pm. The Rev. Marcus McGill officiated. The family greeted friends following the ceremony. Memorials may be sent to The Boy's and Girl's Club of Cleveland County, 412 West Sumter Street, Shelby, NC 28150; Shelby Lions Club, 1420 South Lafayette St, Shelby, NC 28152; or Ross Grove Baptist Church, 1225 Fallston Road, Shelby, NC 28150.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Dedmon.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com.


Printer-friendly format