John D. Boone, Jr., 78, of Carrboro died Saturday, April 28, 2007 at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. He was born in Durham County July 27, 1928 to John D. Boone, Sr., and Emma Gibbs Boone who preceded him in death.
John was a lifetime resident of Carrboro. He graduated from Chapel Hill High School and then went on to Appalachian State University on a football scholarship. He served in the
Korean War as a tank commander with the US Army.
John retired as the head of the Purchasing Department at UNC-CH. He was a member of the Carrboro United Methodist Church where he served as Deacon, Lay Leader, a member of Methodist Men, and Chairman of the Dinner Committee. He was also a member of Lion’s Club where he was a past President and also named Lion of the Year numerous times. The Children’s Playground at Wilson Park is named in his honor for his great love and devotion to children. He also served on the Carrboro Board of Aldermen, Carrboro Auxiliary Police, Orange County Rescue Squad, Mayor Pro-Tem of Carrboro and volunteer with the UNC-CH Athletic Department. He received the 2003 Village Pride Award by WHCL and was named Citizen of the Year by the Jaycees and Chapel Hill Exchange Club.
He is survived by his daughter, Suzanne, and her husband, Hugh Reiber, of Clayton, NC; granddaughter Melanie and her husband, Benjamin Bass, of Franklinton, NC; grandson Johnny Milone of Wilmington; great-grandson Sterling Bass; and his sister, Joyce, and her husband, Donnie Ward, of Carrboro, and many friends.
Visitation was held Monday, April 30, 2007 from 7:00-9:00 pm at Walker’s Funeral Home in Chapel Hill.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 11:00 am at Carrboro United Methodist Church. Burial followed at Westwood Cemetery also in Carrboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in John’s name to the United Methodist Church.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff and doctors of UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, Isiah McAdoo and numerous care givers and friends for all of the love, care, compassion and support during John’s illness.