Whiting Shuford

Whiting Shuford Jr. ASHEVILLE Archibald Whiting Shuford Jr., 67, passed away Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, at the VA Medical Center in Asheville. Born July 6, 1945, in Hickory, he was the son of the late Archibald Whiting Shuford Sr. and Nancy Alice Cline Shuford. Whiting attended Christ School in Arden, and graduated from Hickory High School. He attended Catawba College until volunteering to serve in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College upon completing his military service. He served under Lt. Elmo Zumwalt, III, whose father was chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Jr. He served two tours of duty and was a machine gunner on a Swift Boat, "PCF 35", for 19 months in the Mekong Delta and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Whiting lived in Hickory for most of his life, but during the last 12 years, he made his home in Asheville, where he was very involved with Volunteer Services at the VA Medical Center. He was an active member of Corinth Reformed Church while living in Hickory, and he was a member of the Consistory and served as president. Whiting was a fourth generation hosiery manufacturer in Hickory. Whiting Hosiery Mills was a direct descendent of the first hosiery mill in the area founded by J.A. Cline, his great-grandfather. He served on the board of the National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers as did his father and grandfather before him. The U.S. Hockey Team that won a gold medal in the 1980 Olympics wore the hockey stirrup socks made by Whiting Hosiery. He was a school volunteer at Bethlehem Elementary, where his children attended and also served as PTA president. He was a little league soccer coach for many years. Whiting had a love of nature and a heart for animals, having a strong interest in the Asheville Humane Society. He enjoyed listening to music, and it was a source of pleasure and comfort to him. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Daniel Shuford, of the home; son, Archibald Whiting Shuford, III, of Ochlocknee, Ga.; daughter, Adrienne Shuford McCann and husband, Dana, of Hickory; stepdaughter, Lauren Fouty, of Asheville; sisters, Nancy Shuford Spivey and husband, Al, of Hickory, Mary Shuford Singletary and husband, Bob, of Hickory; and brother, Henry Crowell Shuford and wife, Mary, of Hickory. A memorial service celebrating the life of Whiting Shuford will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, at Corinth Reformed Church in Hickory, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Robert M. Thompson. The family will receive friends at the church after the service. A private family burial will be held at a later date in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain. Memorials may be made to Helping Hands Clinic, 810 Harper Ave. NW, Lenoir, NC 28645; Asheville Humane Society, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville, NC 28806; or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675. Penland Funeral Home of Swannanoa is serving the family of Archie Whiting Shuford Jr.