David was a graduate of North Iredell High School, and he carried the steady grit of his roots with him throughout his life—quietly capable, practical, and true to himself. In the years that followed, he worked for many years as a welder for Bruning-Federle, a trade that suited him: hands-on, demanding, and built on patience, precision, and perseverance.
Outside of work, David found joy in the kind of pursuits that asked for focus and nerve. He was a great softball player, and he loved hunting—particularly racoons and bear—drawn to the stillness, the challenge, and the time spent outdoors. He also enjoyed racing dirt bikes, a pastime that spoke to his appetite for speed, balance, and the simple satisfaction of pushing forward.
Those who truly knew David understood that beneath everything else was a life that carried deep meaning. He brought lessons of empathy and love in ways that were often felt more than announced, and he is now at peace, free from the struggles that clouded his earthly journey.
David was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Lavette Stroud, and his mother, Sarah Elizabeth Cartner Stroud. He is survived by his sons, Jacob David Stroud (Kristen), of Statesville, North Carolina and Stan Andrew Stroud (Shelly), of Harmony, North Carolina; and seven grandchildren also survive.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026 from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM at Lone Hickory Fire Department, 3200 Lone Hickory Road, Yadkinville, NC 27055.
Words of condolences and messages of sympathy may be shared with the family, online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of David and his family.
