Clarence Reid Nesbit

Clarence Reid Nesbit, 90 of Waxhaw passed away on Friday, January 31, 2014 after a long illness with Alzheimer’s. Mr. Nesbit is survived by his loving family, his wife of 67 years, Nadine Rowland Nesbit; a daughter, Dr. Donica Davidson (Dean); a grandson, Shann Rushing (Marni) and two great-grandchildren, Colin and Caroline Rushing. He is also survived by a sister, Freida Nesbit Parker (Bernard); a brother, George Nesbit (Silvia) and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Dillon and Geneva Nesbit, a young son John Reid Nesbit and nephew Robert Reid Parker. Mr. Nesbit was graced with a long abundant life that began with his birth on November 17, 1923 in a log cabin on his grandfather’s farm. While he preferred his life to be simple, he enjoyed the “fruits of his labor” through his travels and time spent with family. Mr. Nesbit graduated from Prospect High School and attended Charlotte Welding School. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor he was employed in the shipyards in Wilmington, NC. He later enlisted in the US Navy where he assisted in the distribution of convoys as an Air Traffic Controller at Roosevelt Roads Naval Base, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Mr. Nesbit was proud of his service to his country and the US Navy. For several years he and Mrs. Nesbit attended reunions for veterans who served at Guantanamo Bay. Upon his return to Union County, Mr. Nesbit assisted his father on the family farm. He later became a master builder who owned his construction company for over 30 years. During these years, he took pride in the mentoring of many young men in the craft of home building. He was considered a highly respected builder who was recognized often by his peers for his honesty and integrity in the building industry. Throughout his career, Mr. Nesbit served as the president of the Union-Anson Homebuilders Association, served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Homebuilders Associations as well as the National Association for Homebuilders. Mr. Nesbit provided many years of community services to various Union County projects. He was chosen by the Union County Homebuilders to be the construction coordinator for the first Habitat for Humanity house built in Union County. He continued to support this worthy project until his retirement. Mr. Nesbit also served on the Board of Directors for the Union County Health Department, Family and Heritage Savings and Loan. Mr. Nesbit, of Scottish heritage, was well read and considered by many to be a prolific historian, as well as an entertaining story teller. He was a faithful member of Prospect UMC where he served on the building committee for many years prior to his retirement. Mr. Nesbit and his wife were both advocates for higher learning and provided an endowed scholarship to Wingate University in memory of their son, John Reid. The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the staff of White Oaks of Waxhaw and Hospice of Charlotte for the loving and compassionate care provided during his illness. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 7, 2014 at 11:00 AM in Prospect United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, February 6, 2014 from 5:30 until 7:30 at Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe, NC 28112. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials may be made to Prospect United Methodist Church, 6020 Prospect Rd., Monroe, NC 28112, Hospice of Charlotte, 1420 East 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215-3220.