E. O. Edgerton

E.O. Edgerton, Sr. died peacefully at home at the age of 97 after living a full and productive life as an individual who typified the American dream of being a hardworking, self-made individual, whose endeavors led to his being very successful on a personal and professional level.

If anything summed up E.O.’s life, it was his great attitude and determination to be the best one can be in every aspect of one’s life. He passed his philosophy and words of wisdom to all he met. His upbringing in the depression era formed many of his ideas about his work ethic, by operating a paper route, delivering ice, and riding miles on his bike to deliver prescriptions from his father’s Martin Street pharmacy.

He was born on November 24, 1914 to E.O. Edgerton and Susie Ives Edgerton. He was a life-long resident of Raleigh. He graduated from Hugh Morson High School, where, among many accomplishments, he was captain of the boxing team. He was an exceptionally good boxer at a time when boxing would fill high school gymnasiums. He later became a state boxing champion. He was also a wonderfully talented baseball player, being selected to an eastern North Carolina all star team at the position of shortstop, as well playing on an AAU level team. He attended Oak Ridge Military Institute and played on their baseball and boxing teams. His athletic abilities were such that he was offered a chance to play baseball on a professional level, but elected to go into the work force.

He was a much loved family man. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, the irreplaceable Ann Campbell Edgerton. Also preceding his death were a sister, Hazel, who died in early childhood, a brother, James Monroe Edgerton, killed in WWII, a sister, Dorothy Lee Edgerton, as well as another sister, Jean Edgerton Hobby.

He is survived by his one hundred year old sister, Elizabeth Edgerton Taylor, his loving children, Bobby Edgerton, Ann Edgerton Campbell and her husband, Don, his only grandson, Paul Edgerton Cranfill, and his extended family, granddaughters, Amy Campbell Petty, Meredith Campbell Miller, Harris Campbell Mason, and Claire Barnes Campbell. Also surviving E.O. are his nieces, Judy Hobby Poe, Jeanie Hobby Holmes, Bunny Edgerton Oates, Jean Carole Cochran, Claudia Taylor Lewis and Susan Taylor Turner.

The family owes a lasting debt of gratitude to T.J. Fowler for all he did for E.O. in his later years.

A special thanks to his long term, faithful caregivers, Albert Njau, Edward Mpata, Amos Kubai and Peter Muchai.

He formed a lasting personal and professional relationship with the Nowell family from 1947-1993, owning and operating E.O. Edgerton Shoes as part of the Nowell’s Clothing Company. He owned stores in Fayetteville Street, in Cameron Village, in North Hills, in Chapel Hill, and in Fayetteville. His business acumen operating his shoe business contributed to his success in his many stock investments. He was an old school guy when it came to savings and personal responsibility.

E.O. was a moral individual. He emphasized to his family three things in life that are very important – your name, your family and your religion. He practiced what he preached. We will miss this incredible person from an incredible generation, but his teachings live on in all those involved in his life.

A celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, August 28th, at 2 P.M. at Edenton Street United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends following the service in Kerr Hall. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, or to the Charity of one's choice.

Arrangements with Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, St. Mary’s Street in Raleigh.