BRUCE JERALD (JUD) MCCUNE, 85
BRUCE JERALD (JUD) MCCUNE, 85, Charleston, passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2010 at Charleston Memorial Hospital after a long fight with heart disease (six by-passes 15 years ago and several more recently).
Born in Gassaway, West Virginia, October 14, 1924, he attended Davis Grade School and Gassaway High School. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1942, graduated from the US Navy baker’s school, and spent the first two years on board the USS Patoka and the last two years of his enlistment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph as a Baker 1st Class. He was honorably discharged in 1946. During his tour of duty, he was awarded the American Area medal, the Asiatic – Pacific Area Medal (with 3 stars), the Philippine Liberation Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle East Medal, and the Victory Ribbon. His service during the war gave him the right to wear one hash mark and the coveted Ruptured Duck*.
He worked for Union Carbide Corporation, at the Institute Plant near Charleston as a boom truck operator and retired in 1975 after 25 years of service.
He is preceded in death by his parents Bruce F. McCune and Blanche (Fowler) McCune, of Gassaway, a brother Roy Joe McCune of Nitro, WV, a sister J. Katharine McCray of Fort Wayne, IN, and daughter Jane Ellen (McCune) Norris of Springfield, Virginia.
He is survived by his wife Ruth (Smith) McCune, Charleston, a granddaughter Shannon Norris, New York, two brothers, Captain Fredrick F. McCune USMC (Retired) Santa Ana, California, Raymond L. McCune, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 4 nieces, 10 nephews and lots of cousins.
He was a long time member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Charleston, a 21-year member of American Legion Post #200, and an Annual member of the NRA. He was an avid deer hunter, a bass fisherman, he loved banjo music, and volunteered each fall to help make apple butter for the church to sell.
He was a special brother, a good & generous friend to all, and everyone loved his Vanilla & Butter Nut pound cakes. He will be sorely missed.
Visitation was at Roach Funeral Home in Gassaway from 11:00 AM to 12:00PM, Saturday, January 16, 2010 with a closed casket funeral service immediately following. Burial was held at Beall’s Mill Cemetery between Gassaway and Sutton. Military services were provided by the Gassaway contingent of the American Legion and bagpipe music furnished by the Shriners.
Friends and relatives are asked not to send flowers. Memorials to Trinity United Methodist Church, 2626 Pennsylvania Avenue, Charleston, WV 25302 or the American Heart Association.
Pallbears will be Roy Joe McCune Jr., Bruce J. McCune, Jack Lee McCune, Fred Nunley, Bill Nunley, and Brian Smith.
*The original Ruptured Duck was a cloth insignia depicting an eagle inside a wreath. It was worn on military uniforms above the right breast pocket by WWII servicemen and women. It was issued to personnel who were about to leave the military with an Honorable Discharge. It also allowed them to continue to wear their uniform up to thirty days after they were discharged.Service personnel thought the eagle looked more like a duck; and, because it meant they were going home, the popular saying was, “They took off like a Ruptured Duck!”…hence the nickname.
Obituary by Ray McCune
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