John Wilkes Tedder, Sr.

Mr. John Wilkes Tedder, Sr., 90, died Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at his residence.
He was the widower of Sunshine Tedder and  was the son of the late Edward and Myrtle Hoffman Tedder, and was also preceded in death by a daughter, Catherine Tedder Arndt. John graduated from Ellenboro High School and attended North Carolina State College. He was a decorated Army veteran of World War II, serving in India. John was a railroad engineer and a life long farmer who served as a Director of the Federal Land Bank for many years; he also founded J.W. Tedder Construction Company. He was a loyal member of the Harl Owens Sunday School Class and Bethel Baptist Church. John loved his Sunshine, tomato biscuits, his cows and always said that a man should have one good wife, and one good bird dog, and he had both.
He is survived by two daughters, Mary Evelyn Tedder, and Amy Tedder Williams and her husband Jerry; a son, John Wilkes Tedder, Jr. and his wife Gail; Grandchildren are Caroline Arndt Livingood and her husband Todd, Alex Arndt, Andrew Arndt, Mary Catherine Williams and Mark Williams; Great granddaughters are Sara Elizabeth Livingood and Anna Catherine Livingood.
A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. David Easler will officiate and the Rutherford County Honor Guard will provide Military Honors.
After the conclusion of the graveside service, the family will receive friends in Family Life Center of Bethel Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to Ellenboro Fire Department, PO Box 188, Ellenboro, NC 28040, or Rutherford County Rescue, PO Box 670, Forest City, NC 28043, or Bethel Baptist Church Music Fund, 479 Main Street, Ellenboro, NC 28040.
Washburn & Dorsey is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences @washburndorsey.com.