Edward Franklin Dement II

He was born on November 11, 1944 in Durham, NC to the late Edward Franklin and Maude Harris Dement.

Ed was a graduate of Durham High School, a 1966 graduate of NC State University, and an original member of The O'Kaysions -- the popular North Carolina beach band that wrote and recorded the mega-hit "Girl Watcher" in 1968. In November of 2003, all six original members were inducted into the Carolinas Beach Music Hall of Fame.

He had two successful careers, Manpower Development Corporation in Chapel Hill, NC and The Equitable Life Assurance Society in Raleigh, NC. Following his retirement as a financial advisor in 2005, Ed performed "live" with many of the finest beach bands in the Carolinas, and dedicated his time to singing and performing regularly for area churches, charities, musical fan clubs, Veterans' and civic organizations, and senior social events. He is a proud member of the Charlotte-South Rotary Club, and an actively-engaged member of the Matthews Veterans Advisory Council. Ed and his wife Barbara are residents of Matthews, NC where they have served as co-directors for the Town's Sister City partnership with Sainte-Maxime, France. He was also on the planning board for the Camp Green Centennial Celebration that is scheduled to take place this coming Friday and Saturday.

Ed is survived by his wife, Barbara Dement; children, Cynthia Grantham (David), Shannon Dement Parham (John ), Thomas McLaren Dement (Melissa) and Jennifer Cristin Mize; grandchildren, Joseph Cook Grantham (Ashton), Jordan Caroline Parham, John (Rhett) Eldridge Parham, III, Amelia Grace Dement and Henry Thomas Dement.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son-in-law, Kenneth B. Cook.

A visitation will be held from 10:30am until 12:00pm on Friday, July 14, 2017 in the Crouch Fellowship Hall at Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28211. A funeral service officiated by Dr. Al Cadenhead and Rev. Dr. Larry W. Whitley will immediately follow in the sanctuary at 12:00pm. A Committal Service will be held in Sharon Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Ed's name, and sent to Charlotte-South Rotary Charitable Foundation, 7804-C Fairview Road, PMB #188, Charlotte, NC 28226.

Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.