Harold Thomas Renfrow

• Born Dec. 28, 1944
• Died Nov. 11, 2009
• Married Linda Faye Thomas Reeves on Dec. 5, 1971.

Harold Thomas Renfrow Harold Thomas Renfrow was born Dec. 28, 1944, and died Nov. 11, 2009. He married Linda Faye Thomas Reeves on Dec. 5, 1971.

Harold's children with Linda

Lisa Fay Renfrow

Michelle Rachel Renfrow Smith

Vincent Thomas Renfrow

Harold Thomas Renfrow with Joey Lane Pope at the 2009 Stancil Reunion. Family archives

Harold Thomas Renfrow, of the George Ira Branch, son of Graydon and Rachel Stancil Renfrow, was born Dec. 28, 1944, by "C" section.

He was the youngest child. He was named Harold for Rachel's youngest brother, Harold Lloyd Stancil, who was killed on Oct. 13, 1944, by plane debris from a Japanese plane that crashed on the flight deck of the USS Franklin.

Harold Lloyd was nicknamed "Chick" by sailors on the USS Franklin because he was the youngest on board. He often signed his letters "Chick." It wasn't long before this was Harold's nickname too.

When Harold was just a toddler, he wandered away from the house. This sent his parents into a panic as they hurried around calling and searching. Finally Graydon found him standing in water with the family's loyal pit bull, "Big Dog," by his side.

Harold grew up attending Springhill Presbyterian Church.

Harold's football playing ability attracted the attention of East Carolina College. Once he graduated from Rock Ridge High School he was offered a football scholarship. Harold accepted and played ball for two years.

Harold joined the Merchant Marines in 1965. He served for three years. During this time his ship made deliveries to Vietnam. When Harold was discharged, he kept his love for country and patriotism. Harold frequently traveled to Washington, D.C., for the annual Memorial Day Rolling Thunder Celebration that honored all MIAs (Missing In Action). Tens of thousands rode bikes from the Lincoln Memorial to the Vietnam Memorial.

When Harold returned home, he entered Wilson Technical Institute and learned to operate heavy equipment.

Harold had a 1969 two tone green GTO. When he put it up for sale in 1970, Thomas "Junior" Emmette Stancil Jr., son of Emmette, bought it for his 18-year-old son Tommy III, then a senior in high school. Tommy loved this car and had many thrills in it until his youthful foolishness caught up to him and his beautiful car.

Harold loved traveling off the beaten path. In 1970, when he visited first cousin Renn Stancil in Palatka, Fla., he made the trip from Jacksonville on Highway 13 that meandered along the St. Johns River. When he arrived much later than expected, he told of seeing large historical houses, moss covered oaks and one of the prettiest drives he'd ever made.

Harold had a friendly and outgoing personality. He loved people and liked nothing better than having an in-depth conversation. Harold was a natural salesman. He sold for Coats and Clark in Atlanta for several years. During this time he completed the Dale Carnegie Sales Course.

Harold had a variety of professions ranging from restaurant owner to insurance salesman to insurance adjuster.

Harold liked all types of music. One favorite was by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, "Pancho & Lefty." Another was "Fernando" released in 1976 by the Swedish pop group Abba.

Harold also enjoyed movies, among his favorites was "The Godfather."

Harold, his brothers Jimmy and J.G., and son Vince were enthusiastic Boston Red Sox fans. In 1985, Harold met his idol, Ted Williams, in Raleigh. Ted played 21 seasons with the Boston Red Sox Team and was considered the greatest hitter of all time by many. Ted autographed two baseballs for Vince. They became treasured souvenir for father and son.

These three fans made a trip with Rachel, in Harold's Cadillac, to visit Jimmy and family in Massachusetts. Rachel stayed with Jimmy's wife Isabel and daughter Donna, while these fans rooted the Red Sox to victory over the Kansas City Royals in Fenway Park.

Harold was also an avid Washington Redskins fan. When the Redskins were playing, you would find him, nephews Matt and Derek rooting on their team.

Harold became interested in the Civil War around 2003 and joined the Sons of the Confederacy and attended the meetings of the North Carolina Division of Sons of Confederate Veterans in Raleigh. This patriotic organization strives to preserve the true history and culture of the Confederacy.

Harold enjoyed reading about the Civil War battles and watching accounts of the war on the History Channel. He was a member of the L.L. Polk Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans of Garner, North Carolina. Harold made a memorable trip to the Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania where 51,000 soldiers died. He spent hours reading, studying exhibits and touring the battlefield. One of Harold's favorite movies was "Gettysburg" depicting this decisive battle.

Harold enthusiastically shared his interest in the Confederacy. Perhaps hearing stories of his great grandpa, John Thomas 'Tom's' Civil War adventures, prompted this interest. One memorable one was when Tom came home without permission to visit Delaney and baby Henry. Tom wore Delaney's dress and bonnet as he plowed the field and planted corn so she would have some food to harvest in the fall.

Harold attended the 2009 Reunion along with daughter Michelle Smith, grandson Joey Pope, son Vince, granddaughters Mackenzie and Kayla; brother J.G. Renfrow, wife Denise, brother Donald "Jimmy" Renfrow; nephew Matt Six, nieces Meredith Braswell, husband Nicky and children Thomas Strother, Rachel Strother and Will Braswell, Katherine Williams and children Abigail and Katie.

Harold developed lymphoma, a cancer affecting immune system cells in 2004. He underwent a stem cell treatment that was successful at first. Harold needed a second one and tragically Medicaid would only pay for one stem cell treatment. Harold continued receiving other cancer treatments. These worked well for a time. Recently Harold developed pneumonia and tragically he was unable to fight it off. He was admitted to the hospital on Nov. 2, suffering from pneumonia, by the time he entered the ICU, kidney failure was a problem.

Harold died at 64 on Nov. 11, 2009, in the Beaufort County Medical Center, Washington, N.C. Harold is buried in Springhill Presbyterian Church, 7335 Springfield School Road, Lucama, N.C.

Harold was preceded in death by his sister Gilda Gray Renfrow Six and parents Graydon and Rachel Renfrow.

Harold was a loyal friend, a loved and respected family member.

Harold will be remembered for his positive outlook, warm friendly greeting, broad smile, kind words, joyful laughter and most of all for the way he made us feel.

— Renn Stancil Hinton, daughter of George Ralph Stancil