Walter Nathaniel Barbee

Walter Nathaniel Barbee, 89, of Concord, passed away Sunday, June 4, 2017, at Pruitt Healthcare in Harrisburg, following a period of declining health.

A celebration of Walter’s life will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, in the chapel of Gordon Funeral Home, 8559 Cook Street, Mt. Pleasant, with the Rev. Lonnie Karriker and Rev. Ruth Ann Sipe officiating. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis with military honors provided by Cabarrus County Veterans Honor Guard. The Barbee family will receive friends between 6 and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

A Cabarrus County native, Walter was born June 24, 1927, to Charles and Beulah Hartsell Barbee. He was predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Martha Barbee Sellers and Grace Furr Allred. He was a member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church.

Walter enjoyed a career as a machine operator and retired from Westport Containers in Charlotte.  A World War II veteran, Walter served his country as a Seaman First Class in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946.  For the remainder of his days, he was devoted to the service organizations that honor veterans. He was a life member of both VFW Post 6480, where he served as senior vice commander, and DAV Chapter 27. He also was a member of American Legion Post 51. Walter was a very active volunteer at the Cabarrus County Senior Center and the Lunch Program at Logan Community Center.

Survivors include two daughters, Connie B. Barnhardt (Dennis) and Dale Melton; three grandchildren, Kenneth Barnhardt (Lenora), Alan Barnhardt and Kristie Melton; and a sister, Lula Barbee White.

Contributions in Walter’s memory may be directed to the Humane Society 2010 Wilshire Ct, Concord, NC 28025 or the Cabarrus County Veterans Honor Guard, PO Box 224, Concord, NC 28025.