Joseph Donald Eifort, 75, passed away Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at his home in Chapel Hill. He was born in Moore County, N.C., on May 3, 1939, to the late Donald Douglas Eifort and Miriam Davis Eifort. He was also preceded in death by his sister Ruth E. Harris. Joe is survived by three sisters; Nancy Lewis of High Point, N.C., Grace Nelson (Wallace) of Vineland, N.J., and Lois Blue of High Point, N.C. He is also survived by his dear friend Ben Armfield of High Point, N.C., as well as many nieces and nephews.
Joe received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College in 1960. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He subsequently received an MA in political science from UNC and taught political science at the College of Charleston in South Carolina for two years. Joe obtained his law degree from UNC in 1973 and practiced law in Chapel Hill for 30 years. In 1986 he went to England for a year, where he received a master’s degree from the London School of Economics. He was passionate about his friends and family; politics; the protection of civil liberties, wildlife, and the environment – and ACC basketball.
Joe’s bridge partners could attest to his competitive zeal, and anyone with a political view and an interest in debate found an enthusiastic sparring partner in Joe who was happy to go to the mat for a great argument.
A memorial service to honor Joe’s life will be held at the West End Presbyterian Church in West End, North Carolina, on Sunday, December 14, at 2 o’clock pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org) or the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina (www.acluofnorthcarolina.org).