Kenneth Julian Todd

Kenneth Julian Todd, 92, of Columbus, GA, died August 4, 2014 at Muscogee Manor Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday August 8, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, with Rev. Charles R. Hasty, Jr. and Rev. Dr. E. Jones Doughton officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Valley, AL, with military honors. The family will receive friends in the Johnson Hall, First Presbyterian Church, prior to the funeral, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Todd was born on April 7, 1922 in Arlington, GA, the son of Samuel Charlton Todd and Ruth Davis Todd. He grew up in Tampa, FL, and graduated from H. B. Plant High School in 1940. After initial employment in a bank and 1 year enrollment at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Mr. Todd entered the Naval Air Training Program in January, 1943. He received his wings from the Pensacola Naval Air Station in December, 1943, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps Reserve. He remained at Jacksonville NAS to train on the F4U Corsair fighter aircraft. He shipped to Kwajelein in the Pacific in October, 1944, and provided ground based fighter support to air and ground operations. His squadron was transported by jeep carrier to Okinawa, and on his 23rd birthday he landed on that island, continuing to provide ground based fighter support until VJ Day.

After discharge from active duty, Mr. Todd completed his education at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1949 with a B.S. degree in Commerce. At Chapel Hill, he was a brother in Kappa Alpha Order with Andy Griffith, and was introduced to his soon to be wife and forever sweetheart, Gladys Goggans, by later to be actor George Grizzard, both of them being Chapel Hill students.

Mr. Todd and his wife Gladys married on August 5, 1947 in Riverview, Alabama, her home town. After college graduation, he began his business career with Western Auto Supply Co. in Charlotte, NC. Having remained in the Marine Corps Reserve, he was recalled to active duty in June, 1952 during the Korean War, and served a 17 month tour aboard the carrier USS Tawara in the Mediterranean as part of the 6th Fleet. Mr. Todd concluded his Marine career as a Major, with 99 carrier landings, to which he referred as controlled crashes. For his WWII service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Gold Stars, the Air Medal with 8 Gold Stars, plus other awards, citations and ribbons.

Soon after release from Korean War duty, Mr. Todd affiliated with the Sperry & Hutchinson Company (S&H Green Stamps) and commenced a 31 year career, variously residing in Virginia and Florida. Following retirement from S&H, Mr. and Mrs. Todd moved to Columbus, GA to be closer to her family and their children.

Ken and Gladys raised 3 daughters, Pamela, Kimberlee and Julianne. In all cities they called home, Ken and Gladys were active in their local Presbyterian Church. Mr. Todd served as an Elder in the Arlington Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, FL, and in the First Presbyterian Church, Lakeland, FL. Ken loved to sing, and except as interrupted by military service, sang in a church choir beginning at age 3 in Tampa, FL, until age 90 at First Presbyterian Church of Columbus.

Mr. Todd was predeceased by his parents, by his wife Gladys G. Todd, and by his sister, Kathryn Warfield. He is survived by his 3 daughters, Pamela Moye (Jimmy), Columbus, GA; Kimberlee Scheffler (Tim), Grawn, MI; and Julianne Pell (Ron) Summerville, SC. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Mindy Durham, John Moye, Robbie Moye, Jamie Moye, Leigh Boase-Miller, Kenna Scheffler, Katie Pell, Caroline Pell and Jackson Pell; and by his twin great- granddaughters, Annabella and McKenna Durham. Mr. Todd was a compassionate leader and a gentle and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

In lieu of flowers, those so desiring may make contributions to First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, 1100 First Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901; or to Columbus Hospice, Inc., 7020 Moon Rd., Columbus, GA 31909.