Oren L. Cline HICKORY - Oren L. Cline, 91, passed away December 27, 2012, at Lutheran Home-East. Oren was born August 19, 1921 in Catawba Co. to the late Oren L. and Anna Yount Cline. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Deal Cline, two sisters, Geraldine Price and Lucille Lail and two brothers, Allen and Glenn Cline. Oren served in the Army during World War II from 1942 until 1945. He graduated from Clevenger College of Business in Hickory in 1946. While still a student at Clevenger, he and several others started Modern Business Service, which evolved into his accounting practice. He operated Oren L. Cline Accounting as well as his insurance agency, now known as BB&T Cline-Southern Insurance Services. In later years he formed Oren L. Cline Consulting. Oren served on the City Council of Hickory during the 1960's and served as Mayor Pro-Tem. Oren served on boards of directors for several banks and businesses and Catawba Memorial Hospital. He served in various capacities on the boards of Lutheran Services for the Aging for 17 years. An active member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, he served on the Church Council for many terms. He was a member of the Lions Club for over 50 years. In 2003 Oren received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor any North Carolinian can receive. Oren was an avid world traveler and visited more than 50 countries. He is survived by a daughter, Joyce Patterson and husband, Larry, of Matthews, NC; sons, Jeff Cline and wife, Joy, of Hickory and Dale Cline and wife, Brenda, of Hickory; grand daughters, Laura Cline Berry and husband, Chris, of Charlotte, Sally Cline Haden and husband, Andy, of Washington, DC, Betsy Cline of New York City and Molly Cline of Washington, DC; grandsons, John Patterson and wife, Erin, of Boone, David Patterson and wife, Melissa, of Charlotte, Adam Cline of Davidson and Luke Cline and wife, Lauren, of Raleigh; great granddaughters, Lauren Patterson of Boone and Mae Cline of Raleigh; great grandsons, Lance Berry of Charlotte, Cameron Berry of Charlotte, Cooper Berry of Charlotte, Luke Berry of Charlotte and Andrew Crane of Raleigh, Hayden Patterson of Charlotte, Oren Cline of Raleigh and Thomas Cline of Raleigh; half sister, Carolyn Cline of North Carolina and a half brother, John Pressley of North Carolina. A memorial service will be Sunday, December 30, at 2:00 P. M. at St. Andrews Lutheran Church with Reverend Richard Fritz and Dr. David R. Keck, Sr. officiating. A private burial was in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 7:00 until 8:30 P. M. at Hickory Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Trinity Village (Lutheran Home), 1265 21st St., NE, Hickory, N. C. 28601. Condolences may be made online at www.hickoryfh.com. Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Barbara Truesdale Jarrett
January 4, 2013
Oren was a true "Southern Gentleman", a mentor and a trusted advisor! Our thoughts and prayers are with your family!
Libby & Dick Christian - Huntersville, NC
January 4, 2013
The last time I saw Oren, at Lutheran Home's 50th Anniversary, he had the trademark smile. A great man who will be missed by all.
Rudy Wright
January 3, 2013
TO the Family of Oren CLine,
Your Dad was such a gentleman, so friendly even to those he did not know. When visiting at the Lutheran Home, he always had that smile on his face and greeted me although he did not know me personally.
What a legacy he left for all of you!
May God give you the comfort you need as you adjust your lives to this loss.
Sincerely,
Vernice and Norman Punch
January 1, 2013
Jeff & Family: I am very saddened to learn of your dad's passing. He was always very kind to me. Please accept my condolences.
Becky Hunter
December 31, 2012
When Oren spoke he was like E. F. Hutton,everyone listened. He will be greatly missed. Randy & Allen Davis, Davis Trim Shop
December 30, 2012
To the Cline family, I am so sorry for your loss of Oren, seems we are all at that time of life...Leslie Stogner
December 30, 2012
Oren and my father had a life long friendship, and our families were close friends for many years. It was always wonderful seeing Oren at the Lutheran Home and again with Joyce at my father's 90th birthday dinner. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cline family. I know that Joyce, Dale, and Jeff will always cherish their special memories of their father, a kind and gentle man.
Sharon Childers Williams, Columbia, SC
December 30, 2012
Mr. Cline was a kind and gracious person; a gentleman in every sense of the word. Every time I saw Oren he made me feel like I was the only person in the room. He would listen intently and respond so encouragingly to the most insignificant story. The remarkable part was that he would remember what I had said the next time he met me! It takes the most special person to show so many people that kind of attention and caring. A beautiful spirit, a true light of what is the best in us, has moved on and will be so missed.
Sue Walker
December 30, 2012
To the Family of Oren Cline, You have my sympathy, and in my Prayers.
Jack Blevins
December 30, 2012
A special person. He will be missed.
Carolyn Hilton
December 29, 2012
A more wonderful neighbor, a kinder and more considerate friend cannot be imagined! I was blessed to enjoy the friendship of Oren Cline. My prayers for all of his family as you remember and celebrate his life, well-lived.
MaryEllen Hansel Rhoney
December 29, 2012
To the Cline family,
I worked for Mr. Cline many years ago - in the accounting office. I have never worked for someone who treated me so well, showed all of his employees so much respect, was so kind and such a true gentleman. One year ago today, my family was in the process of laying my mother to rest. She passed away on 12-27-11. She lived to be 88 - she had known Mr. Cline when they were young people. I will never forget him, will always have fond memories of working for such a wonderful person. You were blessed to have him for a very long, full life - but I know that does not take away the pain. Wishing your family God's comfort and blessings. Doylene Mull
Doylene Mull
December 29, 2012
Mr. Cline was a special kind gentleman...My Dad and I were blessed that our lives crossed in his later years..Fondly, Diane Black
December 29, 2012
Laura Berry
December 29, 2012
Laura Berry
December 29, 2012
Laura Berry
December 29, 2012
I am very sorry for the loss of you dear loved one. You have my deepest sympathies. May the "God that supplies comfort and endurance" be with your family at this difficult time.
— A Williams, charlotte, North Carolina
December 29, 2012
My Mom And Dad Z.B.& Verlie Duncan Use To Speak Of What A Wonderful Person He Was.They Use To Run Around Together When They Worked For Zeb Brown Before WW2.My Mom Has Photos Of Him And Other Friends On A Trip To The Mountains.My Aunt Joan Rowe And Husband Neil Always Thought The World Of Him.Anyway,To The Family We Are Sorry For Your Loss.May God Comfort,Your In Our Prayers
Tim Duncan
December 29, 2012
"Hey Buddy" in that sweet drawn out elderly voice. That's what comes to mind when I think about the man we call Granddaddy. And I tell you what, he may have lost a few fingers, but he had all of his God given teeth! He also had a special disposition about, well, everything. Not sure I ever saw him upset, or agitated about much worth remembering. There's no question in my mind he's resting in a better place now. Wish I could've spent more time with him. Even when he couldn't hear you, he was always ready to listen. Well Granddaddy, "bye bye now" and we'll see you again. You were and still are, a positive example for us all. I love you.
Chris Berry
December 29, 2012
I had the pleasure of knowing Mr.Cline, he was a true gentleman with a beautiful sparkle in his eyes!
Michelle Mitchell~ Impagliazzo
December 29, 2012
Joyce, Dale, and Jeff, I am so sorry to read about Oren's death. He and Martha were two of the finest people I have ever known. When I was a young person right out of college, they welcomed me into their home and hearts and I will never forget many of the lessons of like they taught all of us who passed their way. You were so very blessed to be chosen to have them as your parents and they loved all three of you more than life.
Miriam Davis
December 29, 2012
I met Mr. Cline a couple of years ago in my work as a social worker with Services for the Blind. He made such an impression on me! He was such a gentleman and so kind. I will never forget him. How rare these days to run across someone with the combination of qualities he possessed! I am grateful I got to know him just a little.
Tammy Loukos
December 29, 2012
Our sympathy to the family and Oren's many friends.
Nate and Jan White Cantrell
December 28, 2012
Oren was a wonderful man!He always made you feel important when he saw you.I will always remember him and Martha dressed to the tee and such a loving couple.He will be sorely missed by all who knew him but hes with Martha now. May God wrap his arms around the family while they go thru the greaving process. Know he is always there.
Karen Lowery Penyak
December 28, 2012
Oren was a truly special man who was one of, if not the most , genuine and heart felt people I've ever known. His relationship with his son, Jeff, paralelled my relationship with my own Dad and I
always treasured the sharing and the storys and the wisdom I received! Because of my business as a haberdasher, I appreciated his love for classic clothing and his desire to always be aware of the importance of the first impression! I will truly miss
this marvelous man who blessed my life each time I met him!!!
Tony Forrest
December 28, 2012
Mr. Cline was Chair of the Board of Lutheran Services for the Aging when I first started to work there. He was one of the kindest and most unselfish people I ever had the privilege to know. He was interested in everyone and everything and always made you feel like you were the most important person in the room when you were speaking with him. He will be greatly missed.
Karen Maddry
December 28, 2012
Prayers going out for the family. Joyce I am here for you if you need me. I know how much your father meant to you. He is with your mother now. Love ya!!!
Melissa Averi
December 28, 2012
What a wonderful man! He was truly a prince of a gentlemen and someone who will be sorely missed by all who had the distinct pleasure of knowing him.
Ben Mastin
December 28, 2012
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