Ray Franklin Stikeleather

Mr. Ray Franklin Stikeleather, Sr, 84,. went to his Heavenly Home on Thursday October 22, 2015 at The Shaire Center, Lenoir, after a period of declining health. Mr. Stikeleather was born September 27, 1931 in Mecklenburg Co. a son of the late William Everett and Mary Allen Stikeleather. He was a US Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict, a member of Burkemont Baptist Church and retired as a Air Traffic Controller with the Federal Aviation Administration. For 15 years, Ray enjoyed his role as a volunteer at Frye Regional Medical Center, Hickory. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Ray Franklin Stikeleather, Jr., four brothers, four sisters, a grand-daughter, Abigal Stikeleather, and a special friend, Betty Jenkins. Surviving are his sons, Bobby Stikeleather and wife Donna of Hickory, David Stikeleather of Granite Falls, brother, Alfred Stikeleather of Hartsville, SC and sister, Miriam Courtney and husband Charles of Clover, SC. Also surviving is his daughter-in-law, Rhonda Stikeleather and grandsons, Joshua Lee Stikeleather and wife Ashley, Andrew David Stikeleather both of Hickory, a great-grandson, Alexander Stikeleather of Hickory and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral Services for Ray Franklin Stikeleather will be held Monday October 26, 2015 at 3: 00 PM in the Chapel of Heritage Funeral Service Valdese, with his nephew Rev. Dewayne Evans officiating. Interment with Military Honors by the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard will be at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Lenoir. The family will receive friends Monday from 1:30 until 3:00 P.M. at Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese. Memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 965 Kirkwood St. NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.