It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Ernest Harold Stroud, age 90, of the Midway Community near Kershaw, SC. He was the first born of Hazel H. and Ida Bell (Neal) Stroud of the Midway/Buffalo/Mt. Pisgah Communities. Immediately after graduating from The Flat Creek High School in 1951, he enlisted in The US Air Force, and before the end of the year he arrived in Suwon, Korea assigned to the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing of F-86 Saber Jets. After sixteen (++) years of active duty, he received a permanent physical disability ‘honorable’ discharge (DAV). He then attended the Univ. of Denver and received a BSBA Mang. Science degree, shortly thereafter he found employment as a member of The Federal Civil Service Department and was later assigned duties at The Pentagon. After an 18-year career as a Defense Department Program Manager, he retired in 1988 with a combined total of 34 years (+-) of active military and Fed. Civil Service duties. During those 34 years
he received numerous medals, awards, citations, etc. After retirement he returned to the Kershaw Area and continued to be involved in any and everything related to the military. Per various newsprint articles, many years ago he had taken an active part in 328 military funerals and had folded and presented 312 flags to the family members! He served in several positions while an active member of The Masonic Macedonia Lodge No. 239 located in Jefferson, SC.
He thoroughly enjoyed the annual ‘fall’ bus trip with The Young at Heart group from Midway Church as they traveled to the Pigeon Forge Area for a 5 day get-away!
He is survived by a son in Enterprise, Ala., Dale Ernest Stroud, his wife Bridget and their 2 children, Julia and Christopher, a sister, Phyllis S. Beachum of Charlotte, NC, a brother Bobby Stroud (Theo) of Kershaw, a stepdaughter Michelle Martin of Kershaw, and her family, Larry Martin, and James (Summer) Martin; also 2 nieces, Debra F. Reagan, and Lisa Stroud, 3 nephews, Brant, Derek, and Kevin Faile.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Monica, a sister Virginia S. Faile, 2 brothers-in-law, Arnold Beachum, and J. T. Faile, also a
son-in-law, Bobbie Martin.
Visitation with the family will be from 3 to 5 o’clock p.m., Saturday, Nov.26, 2022, at Baker Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 3 o’clock p.m., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in The Midway Baptist Church. Rev. Larry Plyler will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Activity Bus Fund at Midway Baptist
Church, 7760 Old Jefferson Hwy. Kershaw, SC 29067.
Arrangements are under the care of Baker Funeral Home, Kershaw, SC.
