Clifford Letson

Clifford Curtis Letson, 98, of Moulton passed away Friday, January 20, 2017 at Lawrence Medical Center.  Visitation will be from to 12:00 till 1:45 p.m. on Monday, January 22, 2017 at Lawrence Funeral Home.  The graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Moulton Memory Gardens with Chris Godbee officiating.

Clifford was born on August 15, 1918 to Allison Oden and Nellie Sparks Letson in Courtland, Lawrence County, Alabama.  His first job was alongside his father at Littrell Saw Mill.  Where after the first week he was earning more than his father due to his ability to repair the machines.  He began working with his cousin Doc Richardson at Richardson Chevrolet Company in Moulton.  On December 21, 1941, he left his job to enlist in the Army Air Force serving as a Staff Sergeant travelling through South America, Africa and Europe.  He lived primarily in Naples, Italy for most of his service.  While in Italy he visited Pompeii, and climbed Mt. Vesuvius and looked down into the volcano.  On July 10, 1943 while the Allied Forces were retaking Sicily, German bombers hit the adjacent boat to him.  While under fire from the German Bombers, he pulled over 23 men from the water to safety.  Sergeant Letson was awarded the Silver Star by President Roosevelt for his gallantry.  While in service he dreamed of returning home, starting a family and living next to his brother even though the Army had offered him the position of head aircraft mechanic and the Air Base in Mississippi. However, he chose to return to his job at Richardson Chevrolet.  Soon thereafter he worked for Chemstrand in Decatur until he retired.  He developed numerous automotive patents and became the first certified teacher in Lawrence County teaching auto mechanics at the Trade School until he retired to farm full time.

Survivors include his son, Mark Letson (Tisha); daughter, Joyce Ann Letson; grandsons, Michael Dan Letson and Sawyer Letson; granddaughters, Cyndi Kelley (Andy) and Sailor Letson; great-granddaughter, Payton Kelley; sister, Annie Hill; Comme un fils (like a son), Chuck Winton.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen O. Letson; brother, Arthur (Ellen) Letson; sister, Stella Letson; and son, Dan Letson (Mary).

Pallbearers will be Sawyer Letson, Andy Kelley, Chuck Winton, Dennis Joiner, Steele Joiner, and Nick Letson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Safeplace of Lawrence County.