Van Fletcher, 85; Was Pitcher for 1955 Detroit Tigers
Bill Schenley
loss to Herb Score and the Cleveland Indians. He relieved Billy Hoeft.>
Alfred Vanoide Fletcher
FROM: The Winston-Salem Journal ~
(Paid obit)
YADKINVILLE
Vanoide Fletcher, 85, passed away on Wednesday,
March 17, 2010.
He was born August 6, 1924 in East Bend NC to the
late Wesley E. and Rhett Fletcher.
He is preceded in death by one sister, Francina; and
three brothers, Guy, Alonzo, and Eugene.
Surviving are his wife, Rilla Whitaker Fletcher; two
sons, Van (Patty) Fletcher, Nashville, TN and Rex
(Marilyn) Fletcher, Boonville, NC; grandchildren,
Andrew Fletcher of Winston-Salem, NC and Alec,
Rachel, and Lucas Fletcher of Nashville, TN; as well
as several nieces and nephews.
Vanoide volunteered and served in World War II.
After completing his military service, he was signed
to the St. Louis Cardinals professional baseball
organization, beginning a 13 year pro baseball career
as pitcher playing in the minors for Elkin, Seattle,
Vancouver, and Sacramento before joining the major
league Detroit Tigers in 1955.
After retiring from baseball in 1957, he returned to
Yadkin County as a building contractor in the
Winston-Salem and Yadkinville area. Vanoide took
great pride in farming tobacco for many years.
He also enjoyed coaching baseball in Yadkin County
throughout the 60's and 70's in little league as well as
American Legion.
The family will receive friends Saturday, March 20,
from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Gentry Family Funeral Service
in Yadkinville. His Funeral Service will be held
at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 21, at the Gentry Family
Chapel in Yadkinville by the Rev. Cam Conover and
the Rev. Andy Lambert.
Burial will follow at Center United Methodist Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to Center United Methodist
Church, Steeple Fund, 1400 Center Rd., Yadkinville,
NC 27055 or Mountain Valley Hospice, PO Box 1267,
Yadkinville, NC 27055.
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MLB Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fletcva01.shtml
Thanks to Jack Morris from SABR for this obit.