Max Messenger

Max A. Messenger, 77, of Oakland died on Sunday, August 18, 2013 at his home. He was born on March 6, 1936 in Terra Alta, WV. He was a graduate of Terra Alta High School and West Virginia University, had attended Potomac State College, and was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean War. He retired from the military in May of 1974 after having achieved the rank of Battery Commander for the West Virginia National Guard, Camp Dawson. After attending National Hardwood Lumber School in Memphis, TN, Max returned to Oakland in 1960 to start a family business, Wood Products, Inc. which later included Messenger Ltd. Partnership and Global Hardwoods. He was a past member of the Garrett County Forestry Board, the Tax Assessment and Appeals Board, Board of Directors of Garrett National Bank, Board of Directors of the West Virginia Surface Mine Association, Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Garrett National Bank, Board of Directors of M&T Bank, Chairman of the Board of Garrett County Memorial Hospital and Board of Directors of the Oakland Golf Club. Always an active part of his community, Max served as a Past President of the Center Street, Dennett Road and Southern PTA's, a member of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Oakland Lions Club, helped organize the Oakland Little Football League and was a Past President and Charter Member of SGAA. He was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Max enjoyed golfing, WVU football, and all activities involving his grandchildren and forest land. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Edith "Louise" (Grimm) Messenger; two sons, Jeffery Allen Messenger and wife Belinda (Shank) of Oakland and Reginald Allen Messenger and wife Michele (Turney) of Morgantown, WV; five grandchildren, Kristin Messenger, Cole Messenger, Max Messenger, Trevor Messenger and Greyson Messenger; and half-sisters and brothers, Clayton and Sandy Bond, Larry and Jackie Bond, Carolyn and Jim Parsons and Debbie Palmer, all of Parkersburg, WV. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 2 PM in St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Oakland with Pastor Carl Fike officiating. A private family interment, with military honors, will take place in the Garrett County Memorial Gardens. Max's family would like to warmly thank the local medical professionals who came to care for Max in his home and especially his caregivers, Linda Spink, Lacreasa Greene, Millie O'Haver and Janet Glotfelty, hospice nurse. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 43, Oakland, MD 21550, Hospice of Garrett County, PO Box 271, Oakland, MD 21550 or a charity of one's choice. The Burdock-Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., Oakland is assisting Max's family with the arrangements.

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