David Breckenridge Fletcher, 84, of Engelhard, passed peacefully at his home on Monday, March 25.
Born in Washington, D.C., on June 12, 1939, he was a son of the late John Stuart Fletcher, Commander, USN, (Ret) and Cabell Ducey Fletcher. He was the husband of the former Anita Fisher for 57 years.
Dave graduated from John A. Holmes High School, Edenton. As co-captain and tackle for the Edenton Aces football team, he and his team enjoyed “gridiron glory” as the Class A State Champions 1957-1958.
He attended East Carolina University in Greenville with summer employment as a seasonal ranger for Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
After teaching at Mattamuskeet School in Hyde County, he returned to CHNS as the park ranger for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.
The family enjoyed living in the Chicamacomico Life Saving Station in Rodanthe, the Lighthouse Keeper’s Quarters on Ocracoke, and the Blue Ridge Parkway in Vinton, Va.
Eventually choosing to leave the transient life they relocated to Ocracoke Island permanently. In those early years, he served as fire chief and emergency medical technician and soon became a law enforcement officer with the N.C. Marine Fisheries.
For 23 years he was a friend and passionate advocate for commercial fishermen. He assisted the U.S. Coast Guard with search and rescues and with his knowledge of the surrounding waters.
His retirement years were spent on the family farm in Lake Landing where he enjoyed memberships in the Engelhard Rotary Club, Southern Albemarle Association and as ombudsman for the Cross Creek Nursing Home.
He was a member and trustee of Watson’s Chapel Global Methodist Church and was a board member of Friends of Amity Methodist Church.
Dave had many friends along the way. He was known for his easy-going personality and always had stories to make you laugh or calm a difficult situation. Having great respect and compassion for others, he never refused anyone needing help.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Lamarr Fletcher Sallee (Greg) of Ocracoke, and Molly Fletcher Hartmann (Edward) of Fischer, Texas; a grandson, Walker Samuel Breckenridge Sallee; one brother, James Fletcher of Manns Harbor; two half-brothers, Mark Pruden (Betty B.) and Dossey Pruden (Carlette) both of Edenton.
Nieces and nephews: John Fletcher (Dawn) of Greenville, Donald Fletcher (Susan) of Charleston, S.C., Ann-Cabell Baum of Raleigh, Inglis Walsh (Patrick) of New Bern, Gibbs Baum of Melbourne Beach, Florida, William Pruden of Edenton, Manning Pruden and Caleb Pruden (Kat) of Raleigh, Dossey Pruden of Edenton, Carolista Pruden and Nissie Siler (Wesley) of Manns Harbor.
He was preceded in death by his step-father, William D. “Billy” Pruden, brother John S. Fletcher II, sister, Carolista Baum, and half-brother, Christoper Pruden.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, in Amity Methodist Church, 31655 US Hwy 264, Engelhard, with Pastor Jerald Craddock officiating. A private burial will take place at a later date.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to: Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Association, P.O. Box 1689, Ocracoke NC 27960, www.ocracokewatermen.org, Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 332, Ocracoke, or Engelhard Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 296, Engelhard, NC 27824.
Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter.
