Obituary of Major Overman

Major E. G. ?Jerry? Overman, U. S. Army (Ret.) Major Overman, 93, of Charlotte, NC, died on August 11, 2012 at Little Falls Hospital, Little Falls, NY, surrounded by family and loved ones. The son of Henry and Mary Rooney Overman, Jerry was born in Brooklyn, NY October 13, 1918. He was preceded in death by his four sisters, Rosemary, Clare, Eleanor and Marie, by his brother Harry, by two daughters Maria and Susan, and by a grandson David. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mildred Murphy Overman and six children, Edward Gerard (Rod) Overman, Jr. (wife-Hilde Stevens), Kathleen Overman, David Overman (wife Judy Russell), Jay Overman (wife Marie Hale), Tom Overman (wife Mary Ellen McGillan), Elizabeth Terry (husband Patrick Terry), and a brother James Overman of Matamoras, PA; nine grandchildren, Michael, Cheryl, Robert, Patrick, Jeremiah, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Joseph and Kate and by several nieces and nephews in NJ and FL. He is also survived by Kathy Grimes Picard, the daughter of longtime friend and fellow photographer Bill Grimes. After graduating St. Francis Preparatory School and attending New York University, Jerry was drafted into the Army in Feb 1941, 10 months before the United States entered into World War II. After receiving a Commission in 1943 he served in the South Pacific on New Caledonia, Guadalcanal and other locations. Jerry also served in the Korean War with postings in Japan and Korea. He retired from the Army in 1968. In his civilian career, Jerry worked with Canteen Corporation of America in the 1950s before opening his own photography business in Charlotte, NC in the 1960s. He continued his commitment to supporting the country?s military throughout his life, serving as VFW Post 9488 Chaplain, and as Past Commander and current Chaplain of American Legion Post 262. As a life-long advocate for volunteerism, Jerry gave more than 10,000 hours of volunteer service to the Veterans Administration Hospital of Salisbury, NC. He was active in the Professional Photographers of North Carolina, Charlotte?s Civitan Club, the Elks Lodges in Charlotte and Salisbury, as well as the Joppa Lodge and Oasis Temple. He was a member of St. Patrick?s Catholic Church, and in later years was a regular participant in St. Gabriel?s Catholic Church. A man of many talents, Jerry also was an Associate Member of the Culinary Institute of America. The Overman family wishes to thank the Salisbury VA Medical Center for the excellent medical care Jerry received. The family is especially appreciative of Dr. J. Armada of the VA, and of Dr. E. Matthews of Charlotte. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday, August 17, 2012, at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, 1621 Dilworth Rd. East, Charlotte, NC 28203. Interment with military honors will follow at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Home, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to the VA Medical Center Volunteer Services, 1601 Brenner Avenue, Salisbury, NC 28144, 704-638-9000, or to the charity of your choice.