In MEMORIAM

Dedicated to the memory of deceased shipmates from the
USS Talbot County (LST 1153)

Jimmie D. Albright, QMCM USN Ret.

Age 76, April 5, 2002 in Spartenburg, SC - of Lung Cancer.
Information concerning Chief Albright's death was received from his wife Suzan.

Bertrand (aka Gene) E. Brock, former GM3

Age 60, November 23, 1992 in Virginia Beach, VA - of cancer.
Death reported by a fellow shipmate and confirmed from the Social Security Death Index.

Charles K. Buffkin, SA

Age 20, December 9, 1959 - Died while on active duty, the result of an accident aboard ship.
The author of this site was a crew member of the USS Talbot County at the time of this accident. Date of death established for this record by using the Social Security Death Index.

Erich Brand, former Seaman

Age 76, October 29, 2002, in Largo, Florida - of Lung Cancer.
Information on this death was provided by Erich's widow, Donna.
Erich was aboard as a member of the original crew when the ship was commissioned
and as such he was one of the ship's Plank Owner's.

Albert W. Carkins, former MM3

This death was reported by a former shipmate and has not been independently confirmed.

Elton Vaugh Conger, CDR USN Ret.

Age 69, April 12, 1990, at his home in Camarillo, CA - of Maligant Melanoma.
Mr. Conger, as a Lieutenant Commander, was the Commanding Officer of the Talbot County in 1959 - 1960. Information on Mr. Conger's death was provided by his widow.

David Cordek, LT USN Ret.

Age 63, March 29, 1993 in Longwood, FL - of Lung Cancer
Mr. Cordek, a former Photographers Mate First Class, was, as a LTJG, a Division Officer aboard the Talbot County. Information on his death was provided by Mr. Cordek's widow.

Carl E. Cornett Jr., former FC3

Age 75, January 21, 1995
This death was reported by a fellow shipmate and confirmed by using the Social Security Death Index

Hugh Depew, former Seaman

Age 72, November 16, 1989, in Ohio.
This death was reported by a fellow shipmate and has not yet been confirmed.

Dominic M. Dibello, former BM2

Age 71, August 21, 1993 in Philadelphia, PA.
This death was reported by a fellow shipmate and the date of death was established from the Social Security Death Index.

Eugene A. Dumond, former MM3

Age 55, December 1, 1987 in Union City, CA.
This death reported by a fellow shipmate and confirmed through the Social Security Death Index, which indicates that Mr. Dumond's social security number was issued to him in New York State.

Forest (Jack) Edwards, MMC USN Ret.

Age 65, December 5, 2002 in Sunbury, OH, due to a pulmonary embolism
Information on this death was provided by Opal Edwards, Jack's widow.

John Fardink, former ICFN

Age 59, January 31, 1994 - in Ashville, NY - of cancer
Death confirmed from Social Security Death Index.

John Forney, former RM3

c.1996, in Massachusetts.
This death was reported by a fellow shipmate who read of John's death in the obituary column and is certain that it was in reference to our former shipmate.

William H. Gavin, LT USN Ret.

Age 80, November 20, 1996 - San Jose, CA.
Former MMCS aboard the Talbot County. Information on this death provided by Mr. Gavin's widow.

Norman Olaf Gulbranson, SM1 USN Ret.

Age 66, May 26, 2003 - Redding, CA. - Heart Attack
Information on this death provided by Mr. Gulbransons son Daniel.

Frederick Jackson, BMCS USN Ret.

Before 1980 - in Maryland. This death was reported by a fellow shipmate and the time frame of the death is based on extremely limited information supplied by BUPERS.

Burton W. Kelly, BTC USN Ret.

Age 77 - June 19, 2002 - Millington, Tennessee.
Information on this death was gleaned from the Social Security Death Index. I was in contact with Chief Kelly prior to his death and was aware of his location and illness.

James D. Marlar, former MM3 USN

Age 70 - October 6, 2003 - Birmingham, Alabama.
Information on this death was received from Jim's family. Jim was proud of his association with the USS Talbot County (LST 1153) and his shipmates. He attended all of the reunions and provided a lot of the information included within this web site.

John Mayo, former Seaman

1993.
This death was reported by a fellow shipmate and has not been confirmed.

Kenneth E. Myers (aka Hillbilly), Aboard 1963-1965

May 22, 2000.
This death was confirmed by Kenneth's son Robert.

Terry L. Newton, former MM2

November 13, 2000 - Arkansas City, Kansas
This death was confirmed by Terry's son Jason.

Raymond B. Prell, CDR USN Ret.

Age 75, May 31, 1997 at the Sentara Nursing Center, Virginia Beach, VA - of the combined effects of advanced age and Parkensons Disease.
Mr. Prell, as a Lieuteneant, was the Executive Officer of the Talbot County in the late 1950's, early 1960's. Information on his death was provided by Gladys Prell, Mr. Prell's widow.

Additional Information

William F. Rogers, former Ltjg

Date unknown - Former Deck Division Officer
Death reported by a fellow shipmate. This death is unconfirmed but believed correct.

Gustaf A. Swanson, GMC USN Ret.

Age 76 - December 20, 1997 - in Virginia Beach, VA
Death confirmed through Social Security Death Records.

Ronald Turbes, former SM3

c.1968
Died of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Death confirmed by shipmates who knew Ronald

Thomas J. Tutte, RM1

December 9, 1957 - Suda Bay, Crete - of apparent drowning.
Died while on active duty.
Death confirmed from the personnel log of the USS Talbot County.

Stephen Wasko, former Seaman

Death reported by a fellow shipmate and has not been confirmed.

Robert W. Watkins, RADM USN Ret.

Age 64 - July 1990 - in Virginia - of Lung Cancer.
Admiral Watkins was the Commanding Officer of the Talbot County in 1960 - 1962 as a Lieutenant Commander. Information on Admiral Watkins death was provided by his widow.

Please note: Without a doubt many of our former shipmates have passed away and are not listed here. I can list only those deaths that I am aware of. If you're aware of other deaths among our shipmates, and would like to have them posted here, please contact me at the address below.
Thanks,
` ` John

Send email here

Around the corner I have a friend, in this great city that has no end,
But the days go by and weeks rush on, and before I know it a year is gone.
And I never see my old friend's face, for life's a swift and terrible race,
He knows I like him just as well, as in days gone by when I rang his bell,

And he rang mine.

Ah, but we were younger then, and now we're busy, tired old men.
Tired of playing a foolish game, tired of trying to make a name.
Of doing all day what we need to do, then having no time to call on you.
"Tomorrow" I say "I'll call on Jim, to let him know I'm thinking of him."

But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, and the distance between us seems to grow.
Around the corner - yet miles away, "A telegram sir-" ................... Jim died today.
No tomorrow's now to visit with him, but often when I think of Jim,
I ask forgiveness and shed a tear, If only my old friend were here.

But alas my friend is laid to rest, I wish I'd told him he was the best,
To take a minute and round the bend, And spend some time with my old friend.
Farewell old pal ...... and for what it's worth, I'm glad our paths crossed here on earth,
And could we do it over again, I'd make more time for my old friend.

Seize the opportunity! Tomorrow may never come.

Original author unknown

(With apologies to whomever it may have been for the liberties that I've taken with your work.)

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