This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Volding, Girda, Helmer Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hkB.2ACE/9667 Message Board Post: Rockdale Reporter, Thur., 22 June 2006 Earl William Volding was born on March 8, 1926, to Otto and Girda Volding in Louise. He has one younger brother, Don (aka “Cotton”) who currently lives in the Dallas area. Earl was a graduate of UT Austin with a major in economics. After a short assignment with the U.S. Navy, Earl joined Alcoa in 1949 as an accountant at the company’s Point Comfort Works. He was quickly transferred to the Rockdale plant where he met and fell in love with Joyce Helmer, his boss’ daughter. They married in Rockdale on Feb. 12, 1954. The corporate office in Pittsburgh, PA, beckoned Earl to move that same year. Earl developed a fine taste in antiques while in Pittsburgh. He enjoyed spending weekends shopping for antiques in the countryside and many an evening found him refurbishing prized possessions. Earl and Joyce had two children, a daughter Paula and a son Daniel. Earl’s career advanced and in 1969, he was transferred to Alcoa’s Century City, CA, office as vice president of finance and administration. He enjoyed playing tennis in California and made friends quickly. Joyce continued to entertain and became a gourmet cook in their Pacific Palisades home. In 1973, the Volding family underwent another lifestyle change. Earl was transferred to Kingston, Jamaica, where he was second in command for Alcoa Minerals of Jamaica. He enjoyed his position with Alcoa and continued to make lifelong friends with many Jamaicans. He became a Paul Harris Fellowship Member of Rotary International and was on the board of directors of Priory School. The Voldings enjoyed traveling abroad during their years in Jamaica. They loved visiting friends in England, Scotland, Greece, Spain, Portugal and especially Italy where they returned often. Unhappy with the concept of early retirement, Earl parted with Alcoa after 35 years of continued service. He continued to live and work in Kingston and built a penthouse apartment on the north coast of Jamaica. He enjoyed perfecting his skills at tennis, bridge and poker in between his evenings at social functions. Earl was a devoted husband, friend and father. His journey ended back in Rockdale were he and his wife reunited with old frieds and Texas roots. Earl will be remembered for his passion for life, wisdom of economics, knowledge of finance and compassion for giving so freely to others. Those who knew him will agree he was a soft spoken, gentle hearted, true southern gentleman. He will be missed by many.