J.D. Pike, Jr, 93, died peacefully early Sunday, June 10, 2018 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center. J.D. was born in Goldsboro, NC July 28, 1924, the first of two children born to J.D. Pike, Sr. and Dora Westmoreland Pike. J.D. graduated from Goldsboro High School and later attended The Citadel and Davidson College before returning home to work with his father at J.D. Pike Motor Co. as a trusted and well-respected Chrysler Plymouth dealer until his retirement in 1983. On June 5, 1947, he married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Effie Ruth Maxwell. Having grown up in St. Paul Methodist Church and Scouting, J.D. and Effie Ruth raised their five children accordingly.
J.D. was blessed with a wide circle of friends. He greatly enjoyed membership in St. Paul Methodist Men, Kiwanis and Golden K, Elks Lodge #139, Goldsboro Rod and Gun Club, Go-To Travel Club and The Young Men’s North Center Street Action Group, Not Affiliated, Not Incorporated. In addition, J.D. also greatly enjoyed his time spent on the boards of Tuscarora Council, BSA and Branch Banking and Trust Company. He loved spending time in the outdoors hunting, fishing, golfing and especially at their mountain cabin near Floyd, Va. with many dear friends they made from that area. J.D. was an avid story teller and if you spent any time with him you were bound to hear some of his stories and jokes, many of which were shared weekly with The Golden K. One of J.D. and Effie Ruth’s biggest joys in life was spending time with their family, especially their grandchildren and great grandchildren. In J.D.’s life everything always circled back to the church. He was a faithful member of the St. Paul choir for fifty plus years and served on various committees including The Thompson Fund. Effie Ruth and J.D. were so thankful and grateful for their special relationship with Reverend Jim Harry. Jim was such an amazing source of comfort and assurance for J.D. after Effie Ruth’s passing and he continues to be a big part of the Pike Family.
J.D. was preceded in death by his wife Effie Ruth Pike and brother Donald Stone Pike. J.D. is survived by his children: James David Pike, III, John Maxwell Pike and wife, Diana, of Goldsboro, NC, Charles Louis Pike and wife, Sally, of Topsail Beach, NC, Wesley Matthew Pike and wife, Donna, and Nancy Ruth Pike Wilson, of Goldsboro, NC. Grandchildren surviving J.D. are Crystal Pike Malpass and husband, Carl of Raleigh, NC, Laura Pike Deprill and husband, Mike, of Charleston, SC, Jamie Pike Kelly and husband, Alan, of Raleigh, NC; Dr. Maxwell Pike and wife, Jennifer, of Kansas City, Mo; Michael Foley and wife, Charlene, of Durham, NC, Caitlin Pike, of Indianapolis, IN; Hannah Grantham Milewski and husband, Danny, of Raleigh, NC; Ross Wilson of New York, NY, David Wilson and fiancée Katherine Elliott of Boston, MA, Stacey Wilson and husband Rob Williamson of Portland, OR and Eric Wilson of New York, NY. J.D. also leaves behind thirteen cherished great-grandchildren. In addition, J. D. is survived by nieces Robin Zevenhuizen, Betsy Ramsey, and Caroline Terrett and their families, all of Raleigh, NC. He is also survived by nieces Ann Maxwell, Charlotte Weaver, Betty Yarboro and their families, nephew, Jim Maxwell and family, all of Goldsboro, NC.
The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to Teen, Evelyn, Pat, Toni, Carol, Carolyn and Stacy, for their faithful care. J.D. was also very grateful for all the exceptional medical care given to him by Dr. Thad West, Dr. Mike Johnson, Dr. Ron Long and Dr. Sherrill Glover and Dr. Bill Long. Following a private inurnment at the Columbarium there will be a celebration of life conducted by the Reverend Jim Harry at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 204 East Chestnut Street in Goldsboro, North Carolina on Sunday, June 17, at 2:00 pm. Visitation in the Fellowship Hall immediately after the service. The family will receive friends Friday June 15, at the Home from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Paul United Methodist Church or the Salvation Army of Wayne County would be welcomed.
Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. is serving the Pike family and online condolences may be sent through www.shumate-faulk.com
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