WILMINGTON — Richard Lawrence “Dick” Daughtry, 97, passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center.
Dick was born Nov. 14, 1920, in Goldsboro, son of the late Thomas Lawrence Daughtry and Carrie Tyndall Daughtry.
He was a football player and track star, earning sports achievements that resulted in him being the first inductee into the Goldsboro High School Hall of Fame. In addition, Dick was a member of the 1936 Championship Mile Relay Team that participated in the prestigious Penn Relays, where he met future Olympic gold medalist, Jesse Owens.
Dick went on to attend UNC Chapel Hill, where he played football until joining the military at the start of World War II. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran and served in the 362nd Fighter Group, which received four battle stars and two presidential citations. Dick’s interview regarding his European Theater service was featured in the book, Remembrances of Wars Past, written by local author Henry F. Tonn.
After World War II ended, Dick attended North Carolina State University. Upon returning to Wilmington, he managed the appliance department at Sears for many years and enjoyed coaching his sons to develop their athletic skills. After his first retirement, Dick purchased and operated Daughtry’s Old Books on Front Street for 25 years, where he met several famous stars and enjoyed a book rental contract with Universal Studios. He and his wife, Lucy, spent many days there greeting customers and making new friends.
Dick is survived by his wife, Lucy; children, Richard Moore “Pete” Daughtry (Kathy), Mark Hillary Daughtry, Roger Blackburn and Emily Efird (Wayne); and seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to noon, Friday, Aug. 3, at Andrews Valley Chapel. A graveside service, with military honors, will follow at 2 p.m. in Oleander Memorial Gardens, 306 Bradley Drive, Wilmington.
Memorial gifts may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 1403 Market St., Wilmington, NC 28401.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
