Ronald Cogdill

Waynesville, Ronald "Clifford" Cogdill, age 82, of Balsam Ridge Road, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at Autumn Care Nursing and Rehabilitation after a period of declining health. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Bolden Cogdill; daughter, Angela Cogdill Woody and a grandbaby; two brothers, Robert and Joe "Little Joe" Cogdill; one sister, Mary Cogdill Sumner; and the best friend he ever had, Jim Grasty. Clifford is survived by a daughter, Debbie Pruett (Don) of Waynesville; the pride and joy of his life grandson, Andrew Woody; two sisters, Sara Shuler (Kenneth) of Mt. Holly and Doris Coggins of Sylva; two brothers, Dan Cogdill and Doyle Cogdill (Bessie) of Sylva; two sister-in-laws, Lois and Joann Cogdill; and several nieces and nephews. Clifford was the eldest of eight children of the late Baxter Winslow Cogdill and Hettie Beck Cogdill. He quit school at the age of 16 to help his parents care for his younger siblings. In 1951, he joined the US Army and was sent to Fort Jackson, South Carolina and then on to Company C 26th Infantry Regiment stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He remained there until May of 1953. He received the National Defense Service Medal for service from 1951–1953 and was honorably discharged. Clifford came back from the military and worked for Johnny Sparks' Apple Station and remained there from 1953 until 1955. In May of 1955, he married the love of his life in Waynesville. The newlyweds moved to Cherokee and built their first home, living there until 1966 when they moved back to Haywood County for the remainder of their lives. Clifford worked for Dayco Southern as plant security guard, the Blue Ridge Park Service and until his retirement, he worked for the Great Smoky Mountain Park Service on the Maintenance Crew at the Smokemont Headquarters in Cherokee. Clifford loved being outdoors and having animals around whether it be dogs, cats, quineas, ducks, chickens, turkeys, cows, or ponies, but his greatest love was for God's most humble creatures, the lambs. His lambs ran from everybody, but when Clifford went to the barn, they ran to him, nibbling at his pant legs and fingers wanting him to pet and talk to them. He raised the babies of which were several sets of twins and one set of triplets. They all loved him. He was saved at a young age. He and his wife joined Hyatt's Chapel Baptist Church in Cherokee and were later members of Camp Branch Baptist Church and lastly at Red Bank Baptist Church, where he previously served as a deacon. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2015 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Jack Robinson and Reverend Eddie Stillwell officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery with military honors conducted by VFW Post 5202 and American Legion Post 47. Serving as pallbearers are his special friends, Sonny Freshour, B.J. Rogers, Don Bryson, Dale Cogdill, Ronnie Parton, and Jason Deal. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the services at the funeral home and at other times at Debbie's home, 99 Auburn Park Drive. Memorials may be made to Beth Eden Baptist Church Youth Fund, 240 Hendrix Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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