| Eddy Withrow September 29, 1921 May 23, 2010 |
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| Comments from friends and relatives May this tribute bring comforting words and pleasant memories during this difficult time. It has been an honor serving your family. Lanman Funeral Home Staff Name = John & Lola Lamle E-mail = lola1934@pldi.net Phone Number = 590 463 2231 Memorial Name = Eddy Withrow Comments = Kathy, as a cousin to Eddy, John wants you to know, it was our pleasure to know him. He told us many wonderful stories of his time in the military and his work on the road. We are glad you and Eddy had many wonderful years together, you did a good job taking care of him, I know he appreicated it. Sincerely, JOhn and Lola Lamle |
| Eddy Withrow dob:09/29/1921 dod:05/23/2010 Eddy was born in Culver City, California to Arthur Withrow and Maxine Robuel (from Marseille, France). Eddy's father (an American Doughboy) met his mother in Marseille during World War I as part of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). Their marriage did not last, and Eddy (at age 6 months) returned with his mother to Lorgues, France where he was raised. In the spring of 1940, Eddy attempted to join the French Army after the German invasion, but was denied induction because he was an American. He returned to America early the next year, and by June of 1941 was in the US Army stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi. Eddy's lack of fluent English resulted in a very low score on his Army qualification exams and left the perception that he was only qualified to drive trucks. Fortunately, Eddy's Company Officer was from New Orleans and spoke enough Cajun-French to provide him with a French version of the qualification exam. After taking the second exam, he was transferred to San Antonio, Texas to learn how to become a fighter pilot. Shortly after America entered the War, Eddy was in Kunming, China flying the Burma "hump" with General Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers. Like so many veterans of WWII, Eddy rarely spoke about the War. As one veteran said, "it's hard to be proud when so many have died." On one of those rare occasions, Eddy said that he never expected to live to the War's end as he spent the last days of WWII in a North Indian hospital recovering from one of the many fevers that plagued soldiers. He recalls the conversation of two Army medical technicians discussing their transfers to Guam, where the Allies were building a one million bed hospital in preparation for and anticipation of the X-Day, Kyushu Island invasion (scheduled for November of 1945). A few days later the Atomic Bomb stopped it all. When Eddy was in Bolxi (1941), he met Virginia Thompson and married her in 1942. After the War ended, Eddy and Ginger lived in New Orleans, had two sons (Randall and Kimberly), moved to Irving, Texas and were divorced by 1963. In 1964, Eddy met and married Ella Beth Lamle of Aline, OK and moved to Austin, Texas. Eddy's years with Beth were very happy years as they traveled and worked together in South Texas. Eddy retired as a sales rep from the Wembly Neckware Company in 1985 to enjoy his life in Austin with Beth and near his son Randall, daughter-in-law Barbara and granddaughter Kate. In 1993, Eddy lost his beloved Beth to cancer and became a bit lost himself until he became acquainted with Kathy Volk while visiting Aline, OK. Eddy had one more chapter in his life with Kathy. They became friends, were married in 1994 and spent their years together. In 2007, Eddy’s son Kim passed from this life. Eddy was diagnosed with throat cancer in June of 2009. When Eddy was asked if he was up the arduous trial of radiation and chemotherapy without the possibility of a good outcome, the quiet soldier made it clear and without hesitation, he would fight to the end. Eddy lost his last fight, Sunday May 23, 2010 at the age of 88. In addition to his wife, Kathy of Austin and son, Randall and his wife, Barbara and granddaughter, Kate of Austin, Eddy is survived by one step-daughter, Patty Lawson and husband, David of Geary and step-grandchildren, Colby Howell of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Sydney, Aubrey and Quaid Lawson of Geary; brother-in-law, Raymond Lamle and wife, Norma of Enid. |
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