Whiteville - John Bradley Singletary, 93, passed away Nov. 26, 2012. The son of Meakie and George Vanton Singletary, he was born July 18, 1919 in Columbus County and lived in Whiteville almost his entire life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bettie Ann Singletary; and one son, Brad Singletary.
John attended Whiteville High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he studied business, served as president for one year of the Inter-Dormitory Council and played on the lacrosse team (he noted that he was the only southerner on the team). He served in World War 11 for four years as an Army communications specialist in the Phillipines and Panama. In New Guinea and Biak, he was in the Signal Corps and was attached to the 5th Air Force unit. Proud of his service to his country, he enjoyed a day of recognition in 2011 participating in the N.C. Honor Flight program for WWII vets. He flew to Washington D.C. to visit the war memorials there and received a grand reception in Wilmington upon returning from family, honor guards, and band/chorus.
Civic minded and a business leader, John held several posts during a long and distinguished career including his ownership of G.V. Singletary & Sons with his brother Howard. He was selected as president of the Pleezing Food Company Board of distributors for one year and spoke at their national convention in Chicago. At various times he was president of Whiteville Country Club and president of the Chamber of Commerce in Whiteville. Following his career in the wholesale grocery business, he worked in the financial services sector with Primerica for more than 30 years and remarkably maintained his certifications by passing tests up until his death. Other organizations that he found time to enjoy and participate in included First Baptist Church, Civitan Club, Cotillion Club, the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out), and befitting his love of cards, a gin rummy club. A pioneer of sorts in business technology in southeastern N.C., he installed the first large scale IBM computer system in Columbus County in the 1960's at G.V. Singletary & Sons.
A love of sports was also a hallmark of his life. John played golf regularly and even set a "course record" in September by shooting a 50 on nine holes at WCC. However in earlier days he played tennis and enjoyed introducing his children to all kinds of sports and watching them perform. Notably he helped start the first girl's tennis team at Whiteville High School in 1964 and donated funds to purchase the nets. At the age of 92 he endeavored with his good friend John McNeill to walk around Lake Waccamaw and they both made it.
Travel was perhaps his true passion in addition to his beloved Bettie Ann and family. Sojourns to approximately 62 different countries punctuated a life that was filled with intellectual curiosity and a special love of Hispanic culture. He taught himself Spanish and subscribed to Spanish magazines, television stations, and often went to speak with native speakers in Fayetteville just to practice. A collection of coins, stamps, maps, music and other mementos of his travels reflect on someone who was a lifelong learner. In his 80s he enrolled and attended university level classes in Spain and Costa Rica. Not surprisingly he greatly appreciated Southeastern Community College's contribution to the quality of life in Columbus County and took several international trips with groups sponsored by the college.
A memorial sevice will be conducted at noon Saturday, Dec. 1 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Ron Hinson officiating. Peacock Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
He is survived by one daughter, Ann Richards and her husband, John, of Charlotte; two sons, Bob and Dan and their wives, Lisa and Maggie, of Raleigh and Charlotte respectively; grandchildren including Jess Singletary and wife, Amanda, Alysun Skinner and husband, Kris, John Richards and wife, Julie, Shannon Young and husband, Jason, Patrick Singletary and wife, Lindsey, David Singletary and Bradley Singletary, Scott and Elizabeth Singletary; great-grandchildren, Emory and Dylan Skinner, Ben and Taylor Richards, Maggie, Jake, Molly and Jillian Young.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Columbus Regional Healthcare System and at Duke Medical Center for their compassionate and expert care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bettie Ann Lamb Singletary Memorial Fund established to recognize worthy staff at Columbus Regional Healthcare, 500 Jefferson St., Whiteville N.C. 28472 or Southeastern Community College Foundation Inc. at 4564 Chadbourn Hwy, P.O. 151, Whiteville, N.C. 28472 or First Baptist Church, 412 N. Madison St. Whiteville, N.C. 28472.
(The News Reporter - Wednesday, November 28, 2012)
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Whiteville - John Bradley Singletary, 93, passed away Nov. 26, 2012. The son of Meakie and George Vanton Singletary, he was born July 18, 1919 in Columbus County and lived in Whiteville almost his entire life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bettie Ann Singletary; and one son, Brad Singletary.
John attended Whiteville High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he studied business, served as president for one year of the Inter-Dormitory Council and played on the lacrosse team (he noted that he was the only southerner on the team). He served in World War 11 for four years as an Army communications specialist in the Phillipines and Panama. In New Guinea and Biak, he was in the Signal Corps and was attached to the 5th Air Force unit. Proud of his service to his country, he enjoyed a day of recognition in 2011 participating in the N.C. Honor Flight program for WWII vets. He flew to Washington D.C. to visit the war memorials there and received a grand reception in Wilmington upon returning from family, honor guards, and band/chorus.
Civic minded and a business leader, John held several posts during a long and distinguished career including his ownership of G.V. Singletary & Sons with his brother Howard. He was selected as president of the Pleezing Food Company Board of distributors for one year and spoke at their national convention in Chicago. At various times he was president of Whiteville Country Club and president of the Chamber of Commerce in Whiteville. Following his career in the wholesale grocery business, he worked in the financial services sector with Primerica for more than 30 years and remarkably maintained his certifications by passing tests up until his death. Other organizations that he found time to enjoy and participate in included First Baptist Church, Civitan Club, Cotillion Club, the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out), and befitting his love of cards, a gin rummy club. A pioneer of sorts in business technology in southeastern N.C., he installed the first large scale IBM computer system in Columbus County in the 1960's at G.V. Singletary & Sons.
A love of sports was also a hallmark of his life. John played golf regularly and even set a "course record" in September by shooting a 50 on nine holes at WCC. However in earlier days he played tennis and enjoyed introducing his children to all kinds of sports and watching them perform. Notably he helped start the first girl's tennis team at Whiteville High School in 1964 and donated funds to purchase the nets. At the age of 92 he endeavored with his good friend John McNeill to walk around Lake Waccamaw and they both made it.
Travel was perhaps his true passion in addition to his beloved Bettie Ann and family. Sojourns to approximately 62 different countries punctuated a life that was filled with intellectual curiosity and a special love of Hispanic culture. He taught himself Spanish and subscribed to Spanish magazines, television stations, and often went to speak with native speakers in Fayetteville just to practice. A collection of coins, stamps, maps, music and other mementos of his travels reflect on someone who was a lifelong learner. In his 80s he enrolled and attended university level classes in Spain and Costa Rica. Not surprisingly he greatly appreciated Southeastern Community College's contribution to the quality of life in Columbus County and took several international trips with groups sponsored by the college.
A memorial sevice will be conducted at noon Saturday, Dec. 1 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Ron Hinson officiating. Peacock Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
He is survived by one daughter, Ann Richards and her husband, John, of Charlotte; two sons, Bob and Dan and their wives, Lisa and Maggie, of Raleigh and Charlotte respectively; grandchildren including Jess Singletary and wife, Amanda, Alysun Skinner and husband, Kris, John Richards and wife, Julie, Shannon Young and husband, Jason, Patrick Singletary and wife, Lindsey, David Singletary and Bradley Singletary, Scott and Elizabeth Singletary; great-grandchildren, Emory and Dylan Skinner, Ben and Taylor Richards, Maggie, Jake, Molly and Jillian Young.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Columbus Regional Healthcare System and at Duke Medical Center for their compassionate and expert care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bettie Ann Lamb Singletary Memorial Fund established to recognize worthy staff at Columbus Regional Healthcare, 500 Jefferson St., Whiteville N.C. 28472 or Southeastern Community College Foundation Inc. at 4564 Chadbourn Hwy, P.O. 151, Whiteville, N.C. 28472 or First Baptist Church, 412 N. Madison St. Whiteville, N.C. 28472.
(The News Reporter - Wednesday, November 28, 2012)
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