Harold Panter

Harold Panter, of Marietta, GA and Madison, MS, died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by loving family on Monday, April 5, 2010, at Carestone Assisted Living in Marietta. Mr. Panter was born in Seco, Kentucky, on August 15, 1924, the youngest son of Beatrice Higgins Panter and John W. Panter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Billie Hopper Panter, his sister, Muriel Goodwin, and brothers, George Panter and Wayman Panter. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl and husband, Joe Somoza, son, Denny Panter and wife, Barbara, all of Marietta, and son, Craig Panter and wife, Debbie, of Madison, MS. Also surviving are grandchildren, LeAnne, Andrew, Chance, Morgan, Jonathan, and Elizabeth, and great-granddaughters, Anna Kate, Caroline, Sara Kathryn, and Elizabeth; sister, Carolyn and husband, Dan Buffington of Gainesville, GA, and sister, June and husband, Arthur Young of Memphis, TN. Mr. Panter served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was called to active duty with the Air Force National Guard during the Korean War. Mr. Panter retired from the Federal Government in 1988, having served as Chief of Housing Programs Management in the Jackson, MS office. Additionally, he served in Field Disaster Recovery Relief for the Department of Housing and Development. Among the many disasters in which he worked to provide housing and other recovery relief was Hurricane Camille which devastated the Gulf Coast in 1969. During the 1950’s and 60’s, Mr. Panter was very active in Little League Baseball at Perry Parham Park, taking a team in 1958 which finished two games short of the Little League World Series. He was one of the original group of athletic supporters who helped bring football to Osborne High School and was a true “Cardinal” in every sense of the word, involved not only in athletics, but PTA and other programs as well. The family will receive friends at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Following the visitation in Marietta, Mr. Panter will be moved to Wright Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS. Visitation at Wright-Ferguson will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 9, and 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, with services conducted at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home with burial to follow in Parkway Memorial Cemetery. HE WAS THE BEST OF THE BEST! In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to your favorite charity. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory, Marietta. www.mayeswarddobbins.com

Harold Panter

April 6, 2010