Frank Lewis Fortner

Mr. Frank Lewis Fortner, 89, of Statesville, died Monday, January 9, 2017, at the Gordon Hospice House. Mr. Fortner was born September 15, 1927, in Iredell County and was the son of the late Charles Glenn Fortner and Ona Moose Fortner.  He attended Statesville schools and entered the U.S. Navy in 1943, during WWII and served until May 1946.  During that time, he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre and was awarded the American Victory WWII Medal.  In October 1947, he reenlisted in the Navy and served during the Korean War.  He was discharged in October 1951.  During that time, he was awarded the China Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the Navy Occupation Service Medal.  He remained in the U.S. Navy Reserves for 13 years following his active duty. On August 10, 1955, he married Cora Lee Johnson Fortner and together they shared 61 years until his death.  For a number of years, he worked for the Alex Green Buick Dealership, later and for a number of years, he worked with Piedmont Lumber Co. and before retiring, worked for Lowes Home Improvements. He was a member of Monticello United Methodist Church and was an Ancient-Free and Accepted Mason of Mt. Moriah Lodge 690.  He was also a member of the Iredell-Statesville Coin Club.  He enjoyed his antique car collection and especially his association with friends that he met along the way.  He was a Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Richard Petty NASCAR fan and enjoyed watching racing and baseball. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Current and twin sister, Frances McCoy along with two sons-in-law Buddy Correll and Gregory Foley. In addition to his wife Cora Lee, he is survived by two daughters, Sherri F. Correll and Crystal F. Foley, a son, Scotty Fortner, all of Statesville, along with six grandchildren, Clifton and Shaun Freeman, Tabatha Moore, Shad and Tyler Foley, and Cross McKinney.  He is further survived by his brother, Charles Thomas Fortner (Betty) of Mooresville and his loving dog, Bentley. Funeral services and Masonic Final Rites will be conducted at 2:30 PM Friday, January 13, 2017, at Concord Presbyterian Church with Rev. Kyle Goodman officiating and Mt. Moriah Lodge 690.  The family will visit with friends on Friday at the church from 1:00 until 2:30 PM.  Burial with military honors will follow at Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 also to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 or to the church or charity of the donor’s choice.  Online condolences can be made to the family at nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Frank Fortner.