WILMINGTON — Donald Rayford Latham, 77, of Wilmington, North Carolina died on March 13th, 2025.
He was born in Scottsboro, Alabama on February 24, 1948 to Rayford Hodges Latham and Louise Rice McCord. He grew up in Huntsville, Alabama and graduated from Huntsville High School in 1966.
Don enjoyed life to the fullest and was a bright light to all that knew him. He was a loving husband, father and Papa to this family.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Macie Caldwell Latham, children, Lee Coleman and fiancé Jason Gurganus, Mary Margaret Latham and Jimmy Latham and his wife Brandyn. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Tommy Coleman, Macie Coleman, Milly Vann, Cash Latham and Hayes Latham who also adored him. He is also survived by his step-mother, Christel Latham, his sister Renee Brock (Clayton), step siblings Karen Trammell (Dennis), Cindy Moore (David), Michael Purcell (Tami), and Robbin McCord (Patti).
Don was proud to serve his country in the United States Air Force from 1968-1970 and this was one of his greatest accomplishments. When he returned from Okinawa he continued his education at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. Don then proceeded to receive his Ph. D in Business Management from the University of Arkansas and he continued to call the hogs until his death. He moved his family to Oxford, Mississippi to teach at the University of Mississippi until 1985.
He took a break from education to join his family’s construction business for a few years until he relocated his family to Wilmington, North Carolina to teach at the Cameron School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In 1998 he purchased Parkway of Wilmington, an automobile dealership, that he continued to be a part of until his death.
He loved the car business, and this business gave him the opportunity to express his love of community as he was involved in many charities, especially those involving children and animals. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing with his friends and driving his classic corvettes.
There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you donate to Lower Cape Fear Life Care, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or the charity of your choice.
