WILMINGTON — Elburn Hugh Daughtry Jr. passed away on August 10, 2024 at Davis Health Care Center in Wilmington. Hugh was born on December 22, 1933 in Sampson County, the son of the late Elburn Hugh Daughtry Sr. and Mabel Edgerton Smith Daughtry.
He grew up on the family farm four miles west of Mount Olive, and was a graduate of Mount Olive High School, where he was president of his senior class, captain of the football team, and voted Best All Around and Best Looking by his classmates. Hugh continued his education at North Carolina State University, where he was on the football team, and remained a lifelong fan and supporter of Wolfpack athletics. He also completed a banking program at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. Hugh proudly served in the United States Army as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division.
Hugh enjoyed a long and successful career at North Carolina National Bank, (later NationsBank and Bank of America), serving as city executive in Jacksonville, Henderson and Wilmington, as area and regional executive for southwest Florida, and as a regional executive in eastern North Carolina. Committed to civic affairs, Hugh also was a Rotarian, belonging to clubs in Jacksonville, Henderson and Wilmington; on the board of directors of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Cape Fear Area United Way, and president of the Henderson/Vance Chamber of Commerce, as well as serving on the board of directors of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. After retirement, Hugh continued his community involvement as a regular volunteer for Second Helpings and Meals on Wheels, as chairman of the board of directors of Good Shepherd Center, and as chairman of the Board of Deacons at First Presbyterian Church. Hugh was also an accomplished athlete, and greatly enjoyed golf and tennis at Cape Fear Country Club, where he was also on the building committee for the new club house; swimming and family events at the Carolina Yacht Club, and his regular men’s exercise group at the New Hanover County Senior Center led by his good friend Fran Tabor. Hugh was also a member of the Surf Club, where he served on the building committee.
In addition to his parents, Hugh was predeceased by his brothers, Jackie Shaw Daughtry and Glenn Douglas Daughtry, and his sister, Joyce Daughtry White.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Regan Daughtry, his sons Elburn Hugh Daughtry III (Robin), Christopher Brian Daughtry (Mitzi), granddaughters Cameron Daughtry Piersanti (Matthew), Caitlin Daughtry Cook (Darren), Regan Elizabeth Daughtry (Jesse Vassos), grandson Zachary Knight Daughtry (Allison), and great-grandson Henry Joseph Cook.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Andrews Mortuary, 1617 Market Street, Wilmington, NC. A graveside service for family will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, August 23 at Oleander Memorial Gardens. Following the graveside, a memorial to remember Hugh will take place at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church led by the Reverend Doctor Daniel Lewis with a reception to follow at Gilmour Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. Third St. Wilmington, NC 28401, or Good Shepherd Center, 811 Martin St., Wilmington, NC 28401.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to Champions and the Davis Community, as well as caregiver Jackie Brown, and most especially his devoted caregiver and dear family friend Dorothy Garner.
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