Junior Fesperman
My late husband, Junior, was a very loving and generous man. He was born and raised in Rowan County. The youngest living son of Gurman and Mildred Fesperman, he had seven sisters and three brothers. The stories they could tell about them growing up were hilarious. He loved sports even as a young boy and played varsity baseball at West Rowan High School where he was named Most Valuable Player his senior year. He also played American Legion baseball for Rowan County. We met in high school and dated until our marriage in 1972. Junior was drafted after graduation in 1966 and did a tour of duty in Vietnam.
He received a Purple Heart, the Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. His father died while he was in Vietnam. After his discharge from the Army, he went to work for Gamewell Mechanical and was employed there for 31 years. He left there as a Project Manager and went to work for Grahams Piping until his unexpected death on January 18, 2004.
Junior was a wonderful son, brother, husband and father. We have two children, Brian and Beth. He was always interested in their activities and growing up rather poor himself, enjoyed giving them the things he never had. But he was rich in the areas that really matter; integrity, honesty, optimism, generosity, a sense of humor and an excellent work ethic. He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church and the Mt. Ulla Lions Club and an avid supporter of West Rowan athletics, serving as the assistant baseball coach for several years. He also enjoyed golfing and hunting. At the time of his death, our family had added a daughter-in-law, Nichole and two grandchildren, Khara and Garrett. He also doted on two godchildren, our niece and nephew, Kari and Ryan Schenk. He had many other nieces and nephews (21) and great nieces and nephews (32) whom he loved. Junior had many friends, as he was so much fun to be around, always kidding and “stirring up” mischief. He enjoyed doing things for others.
He was a dear and special person and we all miss him very much. We also know he is with the Lord and we will see him again one day. We are grateful that a part of him is living on in someone else. Thank you for this opportunity to share a little of his life.
His loving wife, Candy
Stephanie J. Fletcher
Born March 5, 1975 - died April 10, 2004
Stephanie was a Dean’s list graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, class of 1998.
Stephanie was married June 12, 1999 to Kerry Fletcher. On that day she also gained a stepson, Dalton Fletcher. On April 3, 2000, they added to their family a baby girl, Hailey Fletcher. With the looks of Stephanie and Kerry, she was perfect in every way.
My sister worked with lots of different children who were terminally ill, with HIV and AIDS, and with mentally challenged teens and adults. She loved to help people, and to try to make a difference. She was my best friend! People have told me how much of an impact she made on their lives. Stephanie loved her family so much! Stephanie and her husband, Kerry, were both killed in a motorcycle accident.
They left behind a four year old daughter, and a ten year old son. I am now the legal guardian of their baby girl. Dalton lives close by with his mother. I miss her badly and I wish every day they both were here. I am glad I made the decision to donate her organs. I knew that was what she would have wanted. I am glad they went to people to help them regain their sight. I hope they see what a wonderful gift they have, and look at how all the beauty of the world gives the way Stephanie did. I do have a little reminder of Kerry and Stephanie to treasure always and my treasures’ names are Hailey and Dalton.
Thanks so much,
Trevah J. Wall
Larry H. Foster
May 3, 1948 - December 29, 2003
Larry was born May 3, 1948 in Caldwell County. He grew up in a small rural community called Boomer, NC. He married Collie Walker on Feb. 27, 1970. They had two children – a son named Darrell Foster and a daughter, Christy Foster Perry. Larry was a truck driver for 31 years. He began his career at Hammery Furniture, and then moved to Tyson Foods. He served in the US Army and in Vietnam. He was also a member of the local VFW.
Larry was a member of Little Rock Baptist church. He served as an usher at church and was very dedicated to his church and its members. He has four grandsons, Dustin, Andrew, Dylan, and Austin. He was very proud of his grandchildren. One of his favorite things to do was watch their little league baseball games. His family found out recently after his death that he has another grandchild on the way. He really enjoyed baseball. His favorite team was the Atlanta Braves. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR and bull riding. He was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer in 1998.
He always wanted to be an organ donor but because of his cancer they could only use his eyes. His family misses him greatly but we are so thankful that because of him someone may be given the gift of sight.
Dean Freeman
Richard FrettolosoRichard “Dick” Frettoloso was a very special man. He had a smile that could light up the world. He also had a wonderful sense of humor. If you were down Dick could pick you right up. He touched so many lives in so many ways. He loved his wife Bonnie dearly and his 4 children Lisa, Richie, Leslie, and Lori. He also thought the sun set in his grandchildren, Michael, Matthew, Breanna, Hannah, Kaitlin, Sophia and Jacob.
Dick worked as a toy salesman for over 30 years, so in the Frettoloso home there were many toys around. He loved what he did and he was very good at it. Someone once asked him what he always wanted to do and his response was “I always wanted to be a salesman”. Now that wasn’t the only job Dick had – he also was a wonderful musician. He played the drums in the house band at Greene’s Supper Club in Greensboro, NC for over 20 years. Dick was a fantastic musician. He started as a teenager and his last song was in the church choir he played in at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Greensboro. He loved his drums dearly and everyone loved to hear him play. Dick had many jobs, but not paying jobs, they were volunteering. Once was as the youth minister, second was heading up Jubilee retreats and third playing the drums in the choir at St. Pius X Catholic Church. He also was a member of a praise band called Freeway. He loved St. Pius X and the friendships he made during the many years there.
Dick had two hobbies – one was golf and the other was cooking! He would play golf anytime with anyone. He loved the sport, he loved the challenge, and he loved the friendships he made. Dick was a very good golfer, but he would be first to admit when he wasn’t. Dick was Italian so he could make the best spaghetti sauce, meatballs, eggplant; you name it, Dick could make it. He loved to cook and he loved to eat!
In all Dick Frettoloso was a wonderful husband, a loving father, and the greatest “Papa” anyone could ever have! He made friends wherever he went and he is surely missed.
Susan Fulton
Calling Susan Fulton a friend is truly a joy and blessing. Sue loved her family and friends with a tremendous passion and gave of herself effortlessly for them. She found true happiness when she was doing for others and spending her time with children. Her grandchildren, Tyler, Tori, and Drew, enjoyed every moment with her. She and her husband Mike baked and cooked and created such amazing and quality moments with them. Sue Sue, the endearing name given her by children she babysat, truly shined during the holidays. Her house was filled with whatever aromas and decorations were appropriate for the correct season. She was always looking for something “the kids would enjoy” when they came. One Christmas, she even talked her husband into buying a giant inflatable snowman because she couldn’t wait to see the kids’ faces when they saw the snowman lit up.
It’s been four months since she’s passed but somehow I feel her presence in so many every day happenings. My children were lucky enough to be included in her circle of love and I am so thankful for the many things she taught them and the kindness and love she bestowed upon my entire family. Two very lucky people received a precious gift from Susan, eyesight. But those she left behind have benefited the most. We get to carry around little pieces of her and wonderful memories and with any luck we can pass along some of her goodness.
