John Harvey Roddey, Jr. ’51

John Harvey Roddey, Jr. ’51, a native Charlottean and resident of Sharon Towers, died on May 6, 2012, at home. Roddey was born on Oct. 21, 1929, in Presbyterian Hospital, the son of the late Julia Irwin Roddey and John Harvey Roddey. He entered Davidson in the Class of 1951, where he graduated with a degree in economics. He was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. In 1951, Roddey became associated with the American Trust Company and worked for its successor banks for 41 years, retiring from NationsBank (now Bank of America) as a vice president. In 1952, he entered the U.S. Army and served during the Korean conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and returned to the bank. He worked in several of the bank’s departments, including the trust department and managed the Charlotte town branch and the main office branch. At the time of his retirement, he was located in the private banking department. While at the bank, Roddey was a member of the Providence Civitan Club and served on the board of the Florence Crittenton Services and the board of advisors of the Mountain Retreat Association. From childhood until 1984, Roddey belonged to Myers Park Presbyterian Church, where he taught Sunday school and served as a deacon and elder. In 1958, he and Laura Sue Mitchell were married in Myers Park Presbyterian Church. Laura preceded him in death in October 2001, after 43 years of marriage. In 1984, he and Laura joined Covenant Presbyterian Church, where Roddey was a member at the time of his death. During their years at Covenant, he and Laura were very active in the work of their church. Roddey served on numerous committees and as an elder. He also volunteered at the Men’s Uptown Shelter, the Hospice Adopt Team, the Bloodmobile, Friendship Trays, and was a tutor at Myers Park Traditional School. After moving to Sharon Towers, he enjoyed serving on several committees there, also. Roddey is survived by his children, Julie Roddey Paul, P.O. Box 54, Davidson, NC 28036-0054, and Thomas Mitchell “Tim” Roddey (Emma). Also surviving are his four grandchildren, Laura DeRenne Roddey, Thomas Mitchell Roddey, Jr., Melinda Grace Paul, and Genevieve Marie Paul. Additional survivors include his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Julia and Martin Clark; two nieces, Laura Clark Zhao (John) and Helen Clark Overmyer (John); three great-nieces; and two great-nephews.