Thad Selman

Published 4:01 pm Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Thad Selman, 93, of Barwick, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at his residence. Mr. Selman was born December 12, 1922, in Quincy, Florida, to the late Thad and Lessie Mae Clark Selman. He served in the United States Air Force and the United States Army during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Mr. Selman was an original member of the 501st Parachute Battalion at Fort Benning and was part of the 1940 parachute test platoon that paved the way for the creation of the first United States military paratrooper battalion. He was the last living member of the test platoon. Mr. Selman was honored on June 12, 2011, at a special dedication ceremony held in Central Park in Barwick with a plaque to be placed at the community park in honor of his service as a member of America’s first parachute test platoon. He retired as a warrant officer and also served as a mayor and councilman of Barwick. Survivors include his son, Zack (Judy) Martin, of Barwick; daughters, Kara Goodson, of Thomson, and Linda “Janice” Martin, of Barwick; grandchildren, Sam (Alex) Martin, Jill (Brian) Higgins, Tara (Bill) Irwin, Jesse (Lynn) Martin, Lisa Martin, Jim (Jana) Petrey, Machelle (Will) Watt, and Joe (Anna) Petrey; several great-grandchildren; and son-in-law, Roy (Lee) Petrey. Mr. Selman was preceded in death by his wife, Opal Selman; one son, David Martin; one daughter, Linda Martin Petrey; one brother, Clarence Selman; and one sister, Jennie Selman. Services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Barwick Baptist Church with the Rev. Elbert Channell officiating. Interment will follow at Rosewood Cemetery with full military rites. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.maxwellmillerfuneralhome.com. — Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home