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Dr. Jack A. Wofford of Forest City, NC, age 90, passed away, Sunday, February 15, 2015.
He was born on July 31, 1924 in Woodruff, SC, as the son of the late F.P. (Joe) and Maude Williams Wofford. He moved to Forest City when he was a child and became a lifelong resident. After graduating from Forest City High School in 1941 he worked as an apprentice airplane mechanic at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He served in the US Air Force during WWII as an Aviation Technician on the B-24 Liberator Bomber in England and was the recipient of the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four service stars. After his discharge he attended Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. Upon his graduation he returned to Forest City and opened his Optometric practice where he served the Forest City community for over 30 years.
Dr. Wofford was very involved in the community and served as chairman of many boards including the Forest City Planning and Zoning Board, the Rutherford County Democratic Party, and the Rutherford County Welfare Board. He was also a member of the Rutherford County Economic and Development Commission, Rutherford County Transportation and Road Committee, Planning and Construction Committee for McNair Baseball Stadium in Forest City, and was appointed by Governor Terry Sanford as a member of the Welfare Reform Commission. Dr. Wofford was also a driving force for the construction of U.S. Highway 74 and the inner city connector. He is a benefactor of Isothermal Community College and has also been honored as the first emeritus member of the Board of Directors for Hospice of Rutherford County.
He was also preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Sullens Turner Wofford; two sisters, Delle Wofford Reavis; Jeanne Wofford Walsh; and one brother, Joe Wofford.
He is survived by his stepson Talmadge Lee Turner and his wife Mary Beason Turner of Boiling Springs, NC, four grandchildren: Dr. Tammy Turner Edelman and her husband Dr. Gary Edelman of Asheville, NC; Chris Turner and wife Pamela Rollins Turner of Shelby, NC; Todd Turner and wife Susan Greene Turner of Lattimore, NC; Tricia Turner Byrd and her husband John Andrew Byrd of Boiling Springs, NC; and six great-grandchildren: Cody Turner, Timothy Turner, Mikaela Turner, Sara Turner, Kaitlin Byrd, and Ryan Byrd. He is also survived a niece and six nephews: Katharine Bowie and her husband Jim of Bristol, VA; James A. Reavis and his wife Kay of Chatham, VA; Joe Wofford and wife Annette; Bob Wofford; The Honorable David Walsh and his wife Stephanie of Ormond Beach, FL; and Joseph Walsh and his wife Mary Ellen of Neptune, NJ; and Daniel Walsh, and a sister-in-law, Lorene Sullens Beam Foster of Shelby, NC. He is also survived by a special cousin Betty Ann Webb and her husband Howard of Charlotte, NC.
A Memorial Service was held at The Padgett and King Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. Dr.
Wofford’s ashes and those of his late wife Dorothy will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
