Harold Walker Cogdell Sr.

KINSTON - Harold Walker Cogdell Sr. was born in Kinston on Nov. 21, 1924, to the late James L. Cogdell Sr. and Rena K. Cogdell, and departed from Earth to glory on Dec. 25, 2009. He was united in marriage on Dec. 16, 1949, to Jeanette Hairston and their union was blessed with one son, Harold Walker Cogdell Jr. Harold was educated in the public schools of Lenoir County and graduated from Adkin High School in 1942. He immediately began serving our nation in the United States Army Air Corps, where he was stationed in France during World War II. Following his military service Harold attended Howard Uni-versity in Washington, D.C. During his professional career Harold continued to pursue academic training and certification in criminal justice at East Carolina University and at the North Carolina Justice Academy. Harold Walker Cogdell Sr. was a pioneer in serving the black community in Kinston. On Aug. 4, 1952, he was hired as the first black police officer in Kinston, and in August 1956, became the first black sergeant in the history of the Kinston police department. In 1963, Harold was hired by the North Carolina Department of Corrections as the first black probation/parole officer in Kinston. In 1975, he was pro-moted to unit supervisor for the North Carolina Division of Adult Probation and Parole where he supervised probation/parole officers in Lenoir, Jones and Greene counties. Har-old retired from the N.C. Department of Corrections in December 1984 after a combined 32 years of service in law enforcement to the Kinston community. After retirement Harold occupied his leisure time at home and in the community doing woodworking and home improvement tasks that earned him the neighborhood nickname, "The Jackleg." Harold dedicated his life to Christ at an early age and was a faithful lifetime member of St. Augus-tus A.M.E. Zion Church where he served as a past trustee board member and president of the Methodist Men. His civic and fraternal affiliations included service as a member and vice chairman of the Citizens' Advisory Committee to the school board in Kinston; chief judge at the 8th voting precinct and a volunteer delivering meals for the Meals of Wheels program. Harold is a past president of the Valiant Knights Organization and a charter member and past state president of the North State Law Enforcement Officers' Association. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. The fullness of life is not measured in how long one lives, but rather how well one lives. Harold was a kind and compassionate person and truly a joy to know. He was preceded in death by a son, Jimmie Dawson, a sister, Sallie Mae Hill and a brother, James L. Cogdell Jr. Harold is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Jeanette of the home; a son, Harold Walker Jr. of Charlotte; daughter An-drea D. Epps of Kinston; two sisters: Elizabeth Sessoms and Melve Johnson of Kinston; sister-in-law Marilyn Cogdell of Kinston; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The funeral service will be held at noon Tuesday Dec. 29 at St. Augustus A.M.E. Zion Church with Pastor Julian C. Pridgen officiating. Burial will follow in Pinelawn Memorial Park. Viewing will take place from 2-8 p.m. Monday Dec. 28 at Albritton-Carraway Funeral Home of Kinston. The family will re-ceive friends from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Professional services entrusted to Albrit-ton-Carraway Funeral Home. Sign the guestbook at Kinston.com. (Paid obituary)