Noble Mcpherson

Born in Fresno, California on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1918, Noble Burton McPherson departed his earthly life on Friday, November 9, 2012 in Columbia, TN at age 93 years, 10 months and 9 days.

Noble was the descendant of early Puritan settlers of America and, like his ancestors, was a devoted Christian man. He loved reading the Bible, and after his eyesight began to fail in his senior years, he loved listening to the reading of the Word on radio, recorded tapes, and, eventually, MP3 players. During the last years of his mobility, he regularly attended Grace Church of the Nazarene in Columbia.

The son of Iola Alice Strong and Jerome Washington McPherson, Noble was born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley in central California. His early passion was the new, fledgling field of aviation. As a young man, he left school each day and headed to the local airfield where he obtained a handyman job and became acquainted with the men who owned some of the earliest airplanes. Noble obtained his private pilot’s license at the age of 16, two years before graduating from Roosevelt High School in Fresno, CA in 1936. During the next five years, he offered family members, friends and teachers an opportunity to go up for their first-ever airplane ride, to view the beautiful farms of the San Joaquin Valley from the air.

The day after Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, Noble went to Los Angeles to sign-up for the Army Air Corps, but was told he could not fly because of his need to wear glasses with thick lenses. Instead, he worked during World War II in the Willow Run bomber plant in Ypsilanti, MI where he met the love of his life, Norma Fay Strickland. The two eloped and were married in Napoleon, Ohio on Dec. 5, 1942.

Few people are born with the inventive mind that Noble displayed throughout his lifetime, obtaining patents on several inventions. He kept life interesting for his family, and was a devoted and loving grandfather and great-grandfather. Almost everywhere that he lived, the neighborhood children ended up calling him “Uncle Noble”, and he made friends easily in all circles. If he saw someone in need, he tried to help them.

Noble was preceded in death by his sister, Fern Dexheimer, and brother Edwin Jackson, both of California, and in 2004 by his wife of 61 years, Norma Fay McPherson. Surviving him, and greatly missing his presence in their lives, are son, Douglas McPherson of Columbia, TN and daughter, Colleen (Dennis) Farrell of Columbia, TN. Additionally, he is survived by seven grandchildren, Douglas (Sue) Farrell of Dewitt, MI; Julie (Todd) Ovenhouse of Brighton, MI; Christopher Farrell, Elizabeth Farrell and Jeremiah (Brandy) Farrell all of Columbia, TN, Rachel (Ali) Hadiashar of Portland, OR and Patrick McPherson of Austin, TX; three great-grandsons, Caleb Ryan Farrell Patterson and Luke Noble Farrell of Columbia, and Tahmures Hadiashar of Portland, OR and four great-granddaughters, Chelsea and Alayna Farrell and Haley and Taylor Ovenhouse of Michigan.

The family wishes to expresses deep gratitude to the staff at NHC Healthcare, which took exceptional care of him during the past 15 months.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the Grace Church Food Pantry, 2302 Highland Ave., Columbia, TN 38401.

The family will visit with friends on Monday, November 12th from 5-7 pm, in the Williams Funeral Home Mt. Pleasant Chapel at 819 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, TN. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 13, 2012, beginning at 11am, also at the funeral home, with Pastors Mark Lindstrom and Gene Shelton officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens, Columbia, TN.

Williams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. If you would like to send the family condolences you may do so at www.williamsfh.com