Arlen "Al" Monroe Upton

Arlen "Al" Upton; loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away Saturday September 12, 2015, at Iredell Memorial Hospital.  Al is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ellen Upton; 4 children, Pam (David) Hall, Connie (Rick) Newman, Greg (Catherine) Upton & Steve Upton; 1 brother, Jerry (Faye) Upton; 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.   Al bravely served his country in the United States Navy (1958-1978), where he retired with the rank of Master Chief.  Al also served his community for 18 years (1980-1998) with the Iredell County Emergency Medical Services, where he retired as the Director of EMS. Al was a devoted Catholic as a member of the parish at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Statesville, NC.  The many passions in Al's life included fishing, NASCAR racing, NFL football and building/programming computers. A Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church with Father Thomas Kessler officiating.  Burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  The family will visit with friends Sunday night from 6:00 until 8:00 PM and also Monday night from 6:00 until 8:00PM. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.