Rodney Howard Given, age 93, of Lewisburg, and formerly of St. Albans, passed away March 31. Born September 11, 1920 in Sutton, Braxton County, he was a son of the late Emory A. and Lola Faye Given. Rod graduated from Gassaway High School in 1938 and from Bliss Electrical School in 1939. He was also awarded a diploma from the “College of Hard Knocks” from Alderson-Broaddus College. Upon graduation from Bliss he was employed as an electrician for BC&G Mining Company until the start of World War II. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was stationed in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he married his wife, Clara Lelia Paxton, of Clay, on June 3, 1944. He served in the Air Corps for four years, earning the rank of staff sergeant. He was crew chief on mainly B-24 bombers. Toward the end of the war, he was stationed in Iwo Jima, serving as crew chief of B-29 bombers and P-51 fighters. In October 1946 he began employment with the C&P Telephone Company in Huntington as an Installer Repairman. During the span of his career, he was also District Manager of Residence Service, Call Switching Services, Outside Plant Construction and Maintenance Superintendent, covering most areas of West Virginia. He retired as District Manager of Business Services for C&P in Charleston in May 1982, after 35 plus years of service. Rod loved sports and played all sports available to him in the 1930s. As a spectator, he was a loyal Mountaineer fan. Rod was an active member of First Baptist Church of St. Albans for more than 40 years, serving in many capacities. After moving to Lewisburg in 2004, he joined Shuck Memorial Baptist. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, James R. and Harry; and two sisters, Eileen and Marie, who died at birth. Surviving are his wife of 69 years, C. Lelia "Lee" Given; son, David A., and wife, Sunny, of Cass; a niece and several nephews. Funeral service 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at Shuck Memorial Baptist Church, Lewisburg, with Rev. Joel Harpold and Jonathan Turner officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to service. Interment in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes, with a graveside service at 3:30 p.m. officiated by Rev. Joel Harpold. Morgan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Shuck Memorial Baptist building fund.
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