Alpheus “Al” McCord, 89 years, of Bryan died at 4:40 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Bryan Care and Rehabilitation Center where he had been a resident. Al was born August 8, 1920 in Paulding, Ohio the son of the late Albert G. and Amelia (Dekau) McCord. A WWII Army Air Corp veteran, he was assigned to the 417th Bombardment Group, known as the “Flying Cowboys”, flying in an A20 Havoc plane named “Peg O’ My Heart”. Al was a member of one of 17 original squadron crews out of 50 crews, that were not shot down while flying their missions. He was a turret gunner, involved in 59 missions in the Pacific Theatre. Al married Gwendolyn N. Snyder on February 23, 1957 in Angola, Indiana and she survives. Al was employed by Clay’s Appliance in the Sales and Service Departments for 22 years. He also taught Appliance Repair at Four County Joint Vocational School/Career Center and the evening Adult Education Courses for 25 years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Bryan VFW Post 2489 where he had served as a Past Commander, Sons of the American Revolution, the Williams County Retired Teachers Association and a Life Member of the Association for Career and Technical Education. Al and Gwen enjoyed their trips to Mackinaw City, Michigan and to Al’s Air Force Reunions. Al was a devoted dad and grandpa and always attended his children and grandchildren’s school and athletic events. He also had a sweet tooth which he always found a way to fill. Surviving is his wife, Gwen of Bryan; son, Anthony A. “Tony” (Marianne) McCord of Bryan, Ohio; daughter Janet Kay (Larry) Lyne of Napoleon; granddaughters, Andrea (Matt) Kaullen of Bryan, Deirdre (Ryan) Arnett of Nashville, Tennessee, Stephanie McCord and Jennifer McCord both of Bryan; grandsons, Zachary Lyne of Napoleon, Ohio and Chad Lyne of Houston, Texas; great-grandchildren, Evan and Aubrey Kaullen. Funeral services for Alpheus “Al” McCord will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church 503 Center Street, Bryan with Pastor Mary Beth Smith Webb officiating. Interment will follow in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan, Ohio with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Bryan VFW Post 2489. Visitation for Al McCord will be held on Friday, April 23, 2010 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday at the church. Memorials in the name of Alpheus “Al” McCord may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church 503 Center Street, Bryan, Ohio 43506.
