Anthony Franklin Pack

Anthony Franklin (Tony) Pack, age 80, of Winston-Salem, passed away on August 29 of COPD and dementia. Tony was born on August 14, 1938, in Belmont, N.C., to Gurley and Myra Simpson Pack. He graduated from Belmont High School in 1956 where he played on the Red Raiders basketball and baseball teams, and played trumpet in the band. He was accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy, but was disappointed that he was unable to attend due to his eyesight. After graduation, he attended Belmont Abbey for one year, Appalachian State University, and graduated from Texas Christian University in 1960, thanks to the generosity of his Uncle Bill. In 1959 Tony joined the N.C. National Guard and entered active duty in the U.S Army at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, and then served in the N.C. Army Reserves for six years. In August 1962, he married Shirley Bridges and they had two children, Wade and Elizabeth Pack. In 1961 Tony moved to Winston-Salem where he was manager for Appliance Buyers Credit Corporation and then went to work for Ed Kelly's Appliances. Later he became an insurance agent for Mutual of New York and Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Co., where he became a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable. He later returned to Ed Kelly's where he worked for Jerry Hayes, who he loved working with and affectionately called "The Hawk." He was a lifetime salesman, working for Lowes Hardware in High Point and Winston-Salem, and Sears at Hanes Mall, where he retired in 2000. Tony was a loyal Democrat and especially admired John F, Kennedy, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama. He was an avid golfer and was happiest on the links with his son Wade. Their trips to the Masters in Augusta were very special to Tony. He was a lifelong supporter of Duke basketball (and sometimes football, depending on how they were playing), the Boston Red Sox, and later enjoyed cheering for Virginia Tech and Alabama football (Roll Tide!). He also loved horses and horse racing and one of his favorite trips was touring horse country in Kentucky with his best friend Rick Hodges. He was a huge fan of Neil Diamond and many years ago said that his one last request would be that "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" be played at his funeral. On New Year's Eve 1989, Tony married the love of his life, Judie Holcomb. He was most proud of his children and grandchildren, Wade Pack and wife, Wendy, and Johnathan and Ryan Pack of Kernersville, N.C.; Dr. Elizabeth Pack of Boiling Springs, N.C.; James (Jay) McFaddin and wife, Dr. Lisa Pinn McFaddin, and James IV (JJ) of Bristow, Va.; and Ethan and Eden Snead of Bristol, Tenn. Tony enjoyed vacations to Myrtle Beach, especially at Thanksgiving, where he ate his weight in steamed oysters. He was a smooth dancer and enjoyed shagging with Judie. He kept the Saturday Morning Coffee Group amused with his humorous quips and stories of his youth. He was known for his coleslaw, frequently requested at potluck dinners. He will be forever remembered for taking friends on road trips to Keaton's Barbecue. He spent most of his life as a Methodist, but was later confirmed Episcopalian at St. Timothy's where he enjoyed ushering for many years. He also volunteered at Crisis Control Ministry, working on Hope du Jour and CROP Walk. Tony was a member of St. Anne's Episcopal Church where services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 1, at 11 a.m. by Rev. Ginny Wilder, rector, with a luncheon and celebration of life in the Kennedy Parish Hall following the service. The family would especially like to thank Donna, Suzette, Sayward, and Tony's Hospice care team for their loving support during his illness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Trellis Supportive Service (formerly Hospice Palliative CareCenter) or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.