Obituary of Franklin Harrison Lemonds, Jr.

Franklin Harrison Lemonds Jr, "Jack", 98, passed away after a brief illness in Charlotte, NC on June 25, 2022. Born May 26, 1924 in Mecklenburg County, NC, he was the son of the late Frank and Mamie Baker Lemonds. In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his siblings: Nettie Belle Ray, Henry Lee Lemonds and James Calvin Lemonds; and his wife of 62 years Marguerite McQueen Lemonds. Jack is survived by his sister, Doris White; sons: Ron and his wife, Mary Jane Lemonds, and David and his wife, Susan Lemonds; seven grandchildren: David Lemonds (Kristen), Anna Tivnan (Martin), Geoff Lemonds (Samantha), Allison Doyle (Jim), Amanda Tomlinson (Chris), Kelly Darnell and Brandi Darnell; twelve great grandchildren: Olivia, Jack, Owen, Hugh, Blythe, Elle, Mary Katherine, Ben, Patrick, Caroline, Claire and Harry; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins. Jack grew up in the Sharon Community of Charlotte where he attended Sharon High School, Class of 1941, and Sharon Presbyterian Church. He also attended NC State for 1 year prior to enlisting in the 8th Army Air Force in 1943. In addition, Jack had a life-long career in the insurance industry and retired from the Hutch-Ham Agency. Jack was a veteran of World War II and was a Prisoner of War (P.O.W.) survivor. He was a waist gunner on a B-24 that was part of the 567 Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomber Group that was stationed at Hethel Air Base in Norwich, England. His first combat mission was June 6, 1944 (D-Day), when they dropped bombs on the Normandy German fortifications prior to the Allied invasion. His plane was shot down on his 29th mission near Brunswick, Germany on August 5, 1944. He was liberated on April 26, 1945 and later honorably discharged after being a P.O.W. for 265 days. As a young man, Jack was a good athlete. He was on winning basketball teams in high school and later played for the Sharon Church Baseball Team in the City/County League in the early 1950s, earning league MVP honors after one successful season. With his marriage and raising two sons, he became an exceptional youth baseball coach. From Little League, Pony League, Babe Ruth, Colt League and Legion Baseball, his teams appeared in 3 youth baseball World Series; coming in 3rd at the Babe Ruth World Series in 1962, and winning the 1963 National Colt League and the 1965 Legion World Series title for Post 9 of Charlotte. Long-time residents of Hunter Acres in Derita, Jack and Marguerite attended Derita Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon, Elder and Treasurer over the years. Jack's late in life years were spent as a resident of MerryWood on Park Road. He enjoyed the friendship and many great turkey clubs at the Park Road Soda Shop. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to: The American Red Cross, 2425 Park Road Charlotte, NC 28203 Sharon Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 5201 Sharon Road Charlotte, NC 28210 Derita Presbyterian Church, 2230 W Sugar Creek Road Charlotte, NC 28262 A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 30, at Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Road Charlotte, NC 28210. Interment will be in the church cemetery. A reception will follow interment at the church. Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the Tribute Wall provided.