Walter L. Bost

Obituary: Walter L. Bost, Sr. Walter Lee Bost, Sr. of Kannapolis practiced Architecture with the firm of Odell Associates, Inc. in Charlotte, N.C. as an employee for forty-five years and a Consultant for five plus years. Mr. Bost died on June 4, 2013 at the age of 86. He was born on February 19, 1927, the second child of Theodore Lee Bost and Myrtie Lee Cavin Bost of Kannapolis, N.C. Both were long term employees of Cannon Mills Co. His early education was at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School and J.W. Cannon High School where he graduated in 1944. In his youth, he was a dreamer, but also a doer. He played lead trumpet in the Band, Concert Orchestra and Pep Band. He had an ardent desire to learn to fly and by working three afternoons and all day Saturday, he earned enough money to take flying lessons and get his license at age 16. In March 1944, at age 17, Mr. Bost enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Cop. Aviation Cadet Program for a three year term, reporting to a College Training Detachment on June 6, 1944, which coincided with "D" day. He spent one year in college training detachments at Davidson College and North Georgia College. Due to the progress of the War, the Aviation Cadet Program was closed down. Mr. Bost volunteered to become a career gunner on a B-29, but was sent to Chemical Warfare School. He volunteered for overseas duty and was sent to the 808th chemical Company, Air Operations, attached to the 9th Air Force in Normandy, France, the caretaker of 15,000 toxic gas bombs. These bombs were removed to Nice, France by train from Normandy for disposal. Mr. Bost was a participant in this operation. After spending a year in France and Germany attached to the 9th Air Force, he was discharged in March 1947, completing his three year enlistment. After discharge from the Air Force, Mr. Bost completed his Architectural Education at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Southern Polytechnic State University in March 1950, at which time he joined the firm of A. G. Odell, Jr. and Associates in Charlotte, N.C. At the time of his employment, he was the sixth employee in a firm that was destined to grow to more than 180 employees with operating offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Florida. During his tenure, he attained and held simultaneously corporate offices of Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and member of the Board of Directors of Odell Associates Inc. for more than twenty years; Chairman of the Board, CEO and Treasurer of Sherwood Printing Company. During his last 15 years in practice, his primary practice responsibility was that of Risk and Claims Manager and coordinator of legal and insurance matters. In 1985, he was appointed by Governor Jim Martin to the North Carolina Licensing Board of Architects on which he served for ten years; three years as President, one year as Vice President, and two years as Secretary/Treasurer. In addition he served two years as Chairman of the Southern Region, (12 states and 2 territories), of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and was a member of many of their committees. He was the Architectural member of a committee mandated by the Governor to develop an energy code for North Carolina in the 1970's. Mr. Bost's other interest includes art, Poetry, travel and writing. He considered himself an amateur artist; he is a published poet and guest columnist for local papers. He has often said God has blessed him by allowing him to visit 36 countries of the world, including one trip around the world. Survivors include his children who reside in Hickory, N.C.; Judy Bost Ingold and husband Charles; grandson Daniel; Walter L. Bost, Jr. and wife Kimberly; granddaughter's Whitney Bost Curtis of Roswell, Georgia; Anna Brendan Bost of the Home, and grandson Connor Bost of the home. Brother Billy W. Bost and wife Nancy; their children Lynn Bost Hamilton and husband Clegg, their children Maggie; Billy W. Bost, Jr. and wife Lesley; all of Monroe, N.C.; Sister in law Dorothy Gibson Bost of Pittsburg, Pa.; their children Glenn E. Bost, III and wife Susan Deriggi, their daughter Corey Bost of California, Pam Bost Leaman and husband Rick Leaman; their children Taylor Leaman, of the home; Hunter Leaman of the home. In addition to his parents, Mr. Bost was preceded in death by his loving wife of 35 years, Ruby Lunsford Helms Bost; a brother, Glenn Eugene Bost, husband of Dorothy Gibson Bost. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, June 6, 2013 at Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Rev. Mike Hubbard. Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 PM prior at Whitley's. Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project and or Blue Ridge Parkway. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 1:00 to 2:00 PM Thursday June 6, 2013 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 PM Thursday June 6, 2013 Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park