Mayodan -Damon Conrad Alberty, 91, finished his earthly march on January 3, 2016, entering the more immediate presence of his Savior. He leaves behind a legacy of a deep faith in God, love of family, survival, a tenacious spirit, heroism, and a heart for the less fortunate.
Conrad was born August 28, 1924, in Greensboro, NC, to William Fewell and Mary Sue Glidewell Alberty. He lost his mother to pneumonia before his 2nd birthday, with his father succumbing to the same fate when Conrad was 9, leaving him to be raised by his oldest sister. He was also predeceased by his loving and devoted wife of 43 years, Ethel Mooney Alberty; son-in-law Russ Walton; and seven siblings, including his very special sister and friend, Frances Alberty Barham.
His childhood was filled with many friends with whom he camped, explored woods and creeks, and constantly got in trouble from harmless pranks (usually pulled on lovely young ladies). At 16, Conrad and a friend decided to stash their textbooks under a bush en route to school one day and enlist in the US Army, lying about their ages. On April 8, 1942, 17-year-old Conrad was captured by the Imperial Japanese Army on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines, and the next day was forced to march 60 miles on what became known as the Bataan Death March. For the following 3 years and nine months, he lived a life of beatings, solitary confinement, starvation, burial detail, and numerous diseases as a prisoner of war. At some point, he and the other prisoners were transported to Japan in the hulls of the infamous “hell ships” and forced to work in coal mines. After the dropping of the first atomic bomb, Conrad and his fellow captives were released and returned to the states to recover from their experiences.
His post-POW years included a tour in Italy, where he patrolled the Vatican as a military policeman and lived in the palace of former dictator Mussolini. He returned to Japan to testify in the war trials and watched former Japanese Prime Minister and Imperial Japanese Army General Tojo hang. Later, Conrad was stationed at various Army posts where he trained officers on survival techniques. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and numerous other medals and decorations. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the US; and he willingly shared his war experiences with news reporters; archivists; civic, church, and school groups; and anyone who was interested. His story as a Death March survivor and POW is included in the University of Florida-produced documentary “I Just Wanted to Live!”
Eventually settling in Mayodan, Conrad became a prominent face in the community, especially with his involvement in the Republican Party, and served on the Mayodan Town Council and the Recreation Commission for many years. He also served Mayodan Moravian Church as an elder, Sunday School teacher, superintendent, and Men’s Chorus singer. Devoting nearly two decades to directing the church’s Storefront Ministry, Conrad helped those in need in Rockingham County and mentored many community service workers. He also spent countless hours helping young adults who had substance abuse problems, openly sharing his faith and his own story of overcoming alcohol abuse. His family was the joy of his life, and he was especially proud of his grandsons, to whom he became a father figure after their father was killed.
Conrad is survived by many loving friends and family, including his daughter, Amy Walton, of Virginia Beach, VA; two grandsons, US Army Captain (Major-select) James Damon Walton and wife Melissa of Hohenfels, Germany, and Rhett Walton of Virginia Beach, VA; two great-granddaughters, Shelby and Piper Walton, of Hohenfels, Germany; many wonderful nephews and nieces; and his very special and dedicated caregiver and friend Joyce Mabe Lephew and husband Eddie of Mayodan.
The family offers its deepest gratitude to the staff and residents of North Pointe Assisted Living for making Conrad’s last years bright and to Rev. Zachary Dease of Mayodan Moravian Church for his visits, conversations, and providing Conrad with Holy Communion on a regular basis. A special thank you is extended to Dr. Donald W. Moore for his diligent and loving care of Conrad.
A service celebrating Conrad’s life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2016, at the Mayodan Moravian Church with the Rev. Zachary Dease officiating, followed by burial with full military honors at the Mayodan Moravian Graveyard. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Mayodan Moravian Church, 104 S. 3rd Avenue, Mayodan, NC 27027, or to the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor Memorial Society (a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit), c/o Judy Pruitt, Treasurer (please make checks payable to “Descendants Group”), 23 Elwell Road, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Conrad was born August 28, 1924, in Greensboro, NC, to William Fewell and Mary Sue Glidewell Alberty. He lost his mother to pneumonia before his 2nd birthday, with his father succumbing to the same fate when Conrad was 9, leaving him to be raised by his oldest sister. He was also predeceased by his loving and devoted wife of 43 years, Ethel Mooney Alberty; son-in-law Russ Walton; and seven siblings, including his very special sister and friend, Frances Alberty Barham.
His childhood was filled with many friends with whom he camped, explored woods and creeks, and constantly got in trouble from harmless pranks (usually pulled on lovely young ladies). At 16, Conrad and a friend decided to stash their textbooks under a bush en route to school one day and enlist in the US Army, lying about their ages. On April 8, 1942, 17-year-old Conrad was captured by the Imperial Japanese Army on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines, and the next day was forced to march 60 miles on what became known as the Bataan Death March. For the following 3 years and nine months, he lived a life of beatings, solitary confinement, starvation, burial detail, and numerous diseases as a prisoner of war. At some point, he and the other prisoners were transported to Japan in the hulls of the infamous “hell ships” and forced to work in coal mines. After the dropping of the first atomic bomb, Conrad and his fellow captives were released and returned to the states to recover from their experiences.
His post-POW years included a tour in Italy, where he patrolled the Vatican as a military policeman and lived in the palace of former dictator Mussolini. He returned to Japan to testify in the war trials and watched former Japanese Prime Minister and Imperial Japanese Army General Tojo hang. Later, Conrad was stationed at various Army posts where he trained officers on survival techniques. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and numerous other medals and decorations. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the US; and he willingly shared his war experiences with news reporters; archivists; civic, church, and school groups; and anyone who was interested. His story as a Death March survivor and POW is included in the University of Florida-produced documentary “I Just Wanted to Live!”
Eventually settling in Mayodan, Conrad became a prominent face in the community, especially with his involvement in the Republican Party, and served on the Mayodan Town Council and the Recreation Commission for many years. He also served Mayodan Moravian Church as an elder, Sunday School teacher, superintendent, and Men’s Chorus singer. Devoting nearly two decades to directing the church’s Storefront Ministry, Conrad helped those in need in Rockingham County and mentored many community service workers. He also spent countless hours helping young adults who had substance abuse problems, openly sharing his faith and his own story of overcoming alcohol abuse. His family was the joy of his life, and he was especially proud of his grandsons, to whom he became a father figure after their father was killed.
Conrad is survived by many loving friends and family, including his daughter, Amy Walton, of Virginia Beach, VA; two grandsons, US Army Captain (Major-select) James Damon Walton and wife Melissa of Hohenfels, Germany, and Rhett Walton of Virginia Beach, VA; two great-granddaughters, Shelby and Piper Walton, of Hohenfels, Germany; many wonderful nephews and nieces; and his very special and dedicated caregiver and friend Joyce Mabe Lephew and husband Eddie of Mayodan.
The family offers its deepest gratitude to the staff and residents of North Pointe Assisted Living for making Conrad’s last years bright and to Rev. Zachary Dease of Mayodan Moravian Church for his visits, conversations, and providing Conrad with Holy Communion on a regular basis. A special thank you is extended to Dr. Donald W. Moore for his diligent and loving care of Conrad.
A service celebrating Conrad’s life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2016, at the Mayodan Moravian Church with the Rev. Zachary Dease officiating, followed by burial with full military honors at the Mayodan Moravian Graveyard. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Mayodan Moravian Church, 104 S. 3rd Avenue, Mayodan, NC 27027, or to the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor Memorial Society (a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit), c/o Judy Pruitt, Treasurer (please make checks payable to “Descendants Group”), 23 Elwell Road, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Mayodan -Damon Conrad Alberty, 91, finished his earthly march on January 3, 2016, entering the more immediate presence of his Savior. He leaves behind a legacy of a deep faith in God, love of family, survival, a tenacious spirit, heroism, and a heart for the less fortunate.
Conrad was born August 28, 1924, in Greensboro, NC, to William Fewell and Mary Sue Glidewell Alberty. He lost his mother to pneumonia before his 2nd birthday, with his father succumbing to the same fate when Conrad was 9, leaving him to be raised by his oldest sister. He was also predeceased by his loving and devoted wife of 43 years, Ethel Mooney Alberty; son-in-law Russ Walton; and seven siblings, including his very special sister and friend, Frances Alberty Barham.
His childhood was filled with many friends with whom he camped, explored woods and creeks, and constantly got in trouble from harmless pranks (usually pulled on lovely young ladies). At 16, Conrad and a friend decided to stash their textbooks under a bush en route to school one day and enlist in the US Army, lying about their ages. On April 8, 1942, 17-year-old Conrad was captured by the Imperial Japanese Army on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines, and the next day was forced to march 60 miles on what became known as the Bataan Death March. For the following 3 years and nine months, he lived a life of beatings, solitary confinement, starvation, burial detail, and numerous diseases as a prisoner of war. At some point, he and the other prisoners were transported to Japan in the hulls of the infamous “hell ships” and forced to work in coal mines. After the dropping of the first atomic bomb, Conrad and his fellow captives were released and returned to the states to recover from their experiences.
His post-POW years included a tour in Italy, where he patrolled the Vatican as a military policeman and lived in the palace of former dictator Mussolini. He returned to Japan to testify in the war trials and watched former Japanese Prime Minister and Imperial Japanese Army General Tojo hang. Later, Conrad was stationed at various Army posts where he trained officers on survival techniques. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and numerous other medals and decorations. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the US; and he willingly shared his war experiences with news reporters; archivists; civic, church, and school groups; and anyone who was interested. His story as a Death March survivor and POW is included in the University of Florida-produced documentary “I Just Wanted to Live!”
Eventually settling in Mayodan, Conrad became a prominent face in the community, especially with his involvement in the Republican Party, and served on the Mayodan Town Council and the Recreation Commission for many years. He also served Mayodan Moravian Church as an elder, Sunday School teacher, superintendent, and Men’s Chorus singer. Devoting nearly two decades to directing the church’s Storefront Ministry, Conrad helped those in need in Rockingham County and mentored many community service workers. He also spent countless hours helping young adults who had substance abuse problems, openly sharing his faith and his own story of overcoming alcohol abuse. His family was the joy of his life, and he was especially proud of his grandsons, to whom he became a father figure after their father was killed.
Conrad is survived by many loving friends and family, including his daughter, Amy Walton, of Virginia Beach, VA; two grandsons, US Army Captain (Major-select) James Damon Walton and wife Melissa of Hohenfels, Germany, and Rhett Walton of Virginia Beach, VA; two great-granddaughters, Shelby and Piper Walton, of Hohenfels, Germany; many wonderful nephews and nieces; and his very special and dedicated caregiver and friend Joyce Mabe Lephew and husband Eddie of Mayodan.
The family offers its deepest gratitude to the staff and residents of North Pointe Assisted Living for making Conrad’s last years bright and to Rev. Zachary Dease of Mayodan Moravian Church for his visits, conversations, and providing Conrad with Holy Communion on a regular basis. A special thank you is extended to Dr. Donald W. Moore for his diligent and loving care of Conrad.
A service celebrating Conrad’s life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2016, at the Mayodan Moravian Church with the Rev. Zachary Dease officiating, followed by burial with full military honors at the Mayodan Moravian Graveyard. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Mayodan Moravian Church, 104 S. 3rd Avenue, Mayodan, NC 27027, or to the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor Memorial Society (a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit), c/o Judy Pruitt, Treasurer (please make checks payable to “Descendants Group”), 23 Elwell Road, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Conrad was born August 28, 1924, in Greensboro, NC, to William Fewell and Mary Sue Glidewell Alberty. He lost his mother to pneumonia before his 2nd birthday, with his father succumbing to the same fate when Conrad was 9, leaving him to be raised by his oldest sister. He was also predeceased by his loving and devoted wife of 43 years, Ethel Mooney Alberty; son-in-law Russ Walton; and seven siblings, including his very special sister and friend, Frances Alberty Barham.
His childhood was filled with many friends with whom he camped, explored woods and creeks, and constantly got in trouble from harmless pranks (usually pulled on lovely young ladies). At 16, Conrad and a friend decided to stash their textbooks under a bush en route to school one day and enlist in the US Army, lying about their ages. On April 8, 1942, 17-year-old Conrad was captured by the Imperial Japanese Army on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines, and the next day was forced to march 60 miles on what became known as the Bataan Death March. For the following 3 years and nine months, he lived a life of beatings, solitary confinement, starvation, burial detail, and numerous diseases as a prisoner of war. At some point, he and the other prisoners were transported to Japan in the hulls of the infamous “hell ships” and forced to work in coal mines. After the dropping of the first atomic bomb, Conrad and his fellow captives were released and returned to the states to recover from their experiences.
His post-POW years included a tour in Italy, where he patrolled the Vatican as a military policeman and lived in the palace of former dictator Mussolini. He returned to Japan to testify in the war trials and watched former Japanese Prime Minister and Imperial Japanese Army General Tojo hang. Later, Conrad was stationed at various Army posts where he trained officers on survival techniques. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and numerous other medals and decorations. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the US; and he willingly shared his war experiences with news reporters; archivists; civic, church, and school groups; and anyone who was interested. His story as a Death March survivor and POW is included in the University of Florida-produced documentary “I Just Wanted to Live!”
Eventually settling in Mayodan, Conrad became a prominent face in the community, especially with his involvement in the Republican Party, and served on the Mayodan Town Council and the Recreation Commission for many years. He also served Mayodan Moravian Church as an elder, Sunday School teacher, superintendent, and Men’s Chorus singer. Devoting nearly two decades to directing the church’s Storefront Ministry, Conrad helped those in need in Rockingham County and mentored many community service workers. He also spent countless hours helping young adults who had substance abuse problems, openly sharing his faith and his own story of overcoming alcohol abuse. His family was the joy of his life, and he was especially proud of his grandsons, to whom he became a father figure after their father was killed.
Conrad is survived by many loving friends and family, including his daughter, Amy Walton, of Virginia Beach, VA; two grandsons, US Army Captain (Major-select) James Damon Walton and wife Melissa of Hohenfels, Germany, and Rhett Walton of Virginia Beach, VA; two great-granddaughters, Shelby and Piper Walton, of Hohenfels, Germany; many wonderful nephews and nieces; and his very special and dedicated caregiver and friend Joyce Mabe Lephew and husband Eddie of Mayodan.
The family offers its deepest gratitude to the staff and residents of North Pointe Assisted Living for making Conrad’s last years bright and to Rev. Zachary Dease of Mayodan Moravian Church for his visits, conversations, and providing Conrad with Holy Communion on a regular basis. A special thank you is extended to Dr. Donald W. Moore for his diligent and loving care of Conrad.
A service celebrating Conrad’s life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2016, at the Mayodan Moravian Church with the Rev. Zachary Dease officiating, followed by burial with full military honors at the Mayodan Moravian Graveyard. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Mayodan Moravian Church, 104 S. 3rd Avenue, Mayodan, NC 27027, or to the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor Memorial Society (a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit), c/o Judy Pruitt, Treasurer (please make checks payable to “Descendants Group”), 23 Elwell Road, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
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