FRANKLINTON - Lawrence Lionel “Larry” Wilder, Jr., 80, of Franklinton died Thursday, April 5, 2012 at his home.

A celebration of his life will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the store “Wilder Brothers”, 2929 W. River Road in Franklinton. Farm attire is welcomed.

The family will receive friends following the service.

A native of Franklin County, Larry was born August 13, 1931, the son of the late Lawrence Lionel Wilder and Lucille Goswick Wilder. He farmed his entire life and was a co-owner of Wilder Brothers Farm Supply. Larry served three consecutive terms on the USDA Farm Service Agency Committee for Franklin County and attended Wake Forest College.

Larry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Kearney Wilder; son, David Lawrence Wilder; daughters, Patty Lynn Wilder Bowers and her husband, Lloyd, Claire Kelly Wilder and her husband, Larry Isenhour; grandchildren, Jamie Lyn Bowers, Lauren Ashley Wilder and Taylor Brooke Wilder and his loving canine companion, “Jezzie” ; sister, Mary Ann Hagwood; brother, Melvin Lee Wilder, all of Franklinton; three nieces, Connie, Laurie Ann and Vickie; his nephew, Dean; longtime business associate, Johnnie Lee “Dick” Noble; his farming protégé, Jon Pearce and unofficial “adopted daughter”, Alicia Pearce, and extended family and friends in the Mitchiners Crossroads community.

Since Daddy was a career farmer and hoped farming would continue in Franklin County, donations can be made to: FFA, Franklinton High School, 910 Cedar Creek Road, Franklinton, NC 27525, Attn: David Averette, in memory of Larry Wilder.

Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, N.C. Condolences may be made at www.montlawn.com.

Paid Obituary