Flake Edwin Murdock

Born on June 2, 1924, in Troutman, he was the son of the late Robert Flake Murdock and Mabel Ostwalt Murdock. He was a member of the 1941 class of Troutman High School and during World War II proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Portland as a Fireman First Class. Mr. Murdock was a self-employed transporter for FCX Cooperative Mills in Statesville while sharing in ownership of Murdock's Curb Market with his wife and parents. Later he co-owned Murdock's Furniture in the same location. For the past 25 years he has owned and operated Murdock's Produce on Highway 21 in Troutman. This little produce stand quickly became a local favorite because of his special expertise in "picking out just the right cantaloupe, watermelon, etc." and the special attention he gave to his customers. His customers became his longtime friends and he loved having them stop by so he could give out "unsolicited advice," share stories, participate in a good argument or have just a heart-warming chat. Children called him "PawPaw" because he always had a kind word and often a special treat for them when they came by. His outgoing personality and his joking nature offered a little something for everyone. During the past few years there have been several articles written about him and his produce stand in the local newspaper. He was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Troutman and belonged to the Troutman American Legion Post No. 401. He loved his family and friends, his country and his home town of Troutman. He adored his grandchildren and great-children and considered them his special angels. Gardening was his passion for many years, which is still evident by the beautiful azaleas that surround his home. While he didn't have time to volunteer, he gave generously to the community through his donations to the Troutman Library Fund, The Wood Ministry, HELP Ministry, and others. He was married Oct. 5, 1942, to Mildred A. Austin, who preceded him in death March 5, 2002. He was preceded in death, also, by a granddaughter, Megan Austin Knox, a great- granddaughter, Lauren Foyle, a brother, Gilmer Letcho Murdock and a sister, Margaret Murdock Holland. He is survived by a son, Gayle Edwin Murdock (Georgia) of Avon Park, Fla., and two daughters, Priscilla Murdock Nicholson and Karen Murdock Knox (Butch) of Statesville; eight grandchildren, Todd Nicholson (Julie), Kym Dempsey (Tim), Chad Nicholson, Cory Knox of Statesville, Heather Pharris (William) of Atlanta, Heath Murdock (Melissa) and Hope Brown (Perry) of Riverview, Fla., and Kymberly Rodgers of Raleigh; great-grandchildren Ryan Nicholson (Nicole), Brittany Nicholson, Annsley and Peyton Pharris, Brooke and Cole Murdock, Dylan and Dalton Brown, and Lindsay Rodgers: a sister-in-law, Frances L. Murdock, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 5:30-8:30 p.m. today at Troutman Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Troutman with burial services to follow at St. Michael's Cemetery in Troutman. The family will assemble at the Murdock home on East Monbo Road. Friends and family are invited to sign the guest book at www.troutmanfuneralhome. com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Megan Knox Memorial Scholarship Fund, 521 East Monbo Road, Statesville, NC 28677 or to the Restoration and Building Fund of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 308, Troutman, NC 28166. Troutman Funeral Home is serving the Murdock family.