Gordon Roosevelt Batten, age 87, of Whiteville, NC, died suddenly Friday, December 25, 2020, at Columbus Regional Healthcare. He was born on March 25, 1933 in Hallsboro, NC, to the late Benjamin Franklin Batten and Winnie Worrell Batten. In addition to his parents, Gordon is also predeceased by his wife of 60 years; Ann Wright Batten, a daughter; Cathy Ann Batten and a sister; Louise B. Crawford.
Gordon was a member at Chadbourn Baptist Church. Gordon worked for Braxton Warren Company as a TV repairman. He was a Communications Engineer for WECT and WWAY in Wilmington, NC. He also worked for 33 years with the NC Forestry Service as a Radio Engineer. He was a 1950 graduate of Chadbourn High School, graduate of Southeastern Community College, graduate of Devry Institute, attended N.C. State University at the age of 16, graduate of R.C.A. and Zenith. He had a 1st Class Radio License with the FCC and president of A.R.C. Columbus County Chapter. He served his country during the Korean Conflict and was a Communications Specialist in Kaiserslautern and Heidelberg, Germany and served as a NATO Inspector. During his military service he was awarded metals for National Defense, Army of Occupation and Good Conduct. Gordon was offered a position at Cape Canaveral but declined due to the health of his daughter. He taught courses on Electrical Engineering at Southeastern Community College.
Gordon loved gardening and doing yard work. He was a contributing writer for several years for the News Reporter. He loved photography, astronomy, traveling, reading, keeping up with technology, current events and Montavani Albums. Gordon was a very goal oriented. He never met a stranger.
He is survived by two daughters; Laurie Ann Batten of Whiteville, NC and Kimberly Batten Taylor (Craig) of Cary, NC, a sister; Dorothy B. Winnies of Chadbourn, NC, and his one and only favorite sister in law; Margie Blackmon of Whiteville, NC.
A private family service will be held prior to a public graveside service that will be at Flynn Cemetery, Whiteville, NC at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, with military honors and the NC Forestry Service Honor Guard. Rev. Darryll Hester will be officiating the services.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Southeastern Community College, 4564 Chadbourn Hwy., Whiteville, NC 28472, in care of a soon to be established scholarship in Electrical Engineering that will be set up in Gordon's memory.
Attendees are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.
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