Mr. James Kenneth Stroud, 85, of Davie Academy Road, Mocksville, died on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, after a lengthy illness.

He was the oldest and last surviving child of the late James Ray Stroud Sr. and Cora Marlow Stroud. He attended Harmony High School and helped his parents on the farm in his younger years. He met his future wife, Betty Snider of Ridge Road, while attending vacation Bible school during the summer of 1950 at Society Baptist Church. They were engaged by Christmas of that year and were married March 24, 1951, by the Rev. W.B. Rimmer of Troutman. They attended Society Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon and later served as superintendent and Sunday school teacher. In 1986, God spoke to him to give land to build a church. He gave four acres and Calvary Baptist Church was built on Davie Academy Road. While at Calvary, he had served as superintendent, a deacon, Sunday school teacher and on several committees until his health started failing. He loved the Lord and could often be found sitting on the tailgate of his truck in the toolshed reading and studying his Bible for hours. As a young man, he had worked at Southern Screw Co. in Statesville, Carnation Milk Co. and had a paper route. He and Betty were partners in life and in business. They operated Ken’s Amoco, a grocery store and service station, for 20 years. He attended to all the mechanical aspects of the business while Betty ran the store and kept the books. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t make or fix.  While at the store, they were joined by Rayford McDaniel who worked with them for 14 years. They also had a poultry farm for 40 years with Perdue, Inc. and enjoyed having Black Angus Beef Cattle until 2014. In his younger years, he enjoyed riding motorcycles, deer hunting and flying his plane. He always planted a large garden and enjoyed sharing vegetables with neighbors and friends. He was a true and honest friend to all who met him and was willing to help with any needs.

He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Peggy Stroud Koontz and James Ray Stroud Jr.; and a nephew, Scott Stroud.

Survivors: his wife of 66 years and 25 days, Betty Snider Stroud; 2 children, Gary Stroud of the home and Susan Stroud of Troutman; faithful dog, Sandy; granddog, Chula; a sister-in-law, Yvonne Stroud; a brother-in-law, John Koontz; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Friday, April 21 at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Rob Waugh, Dr. Bobby Henderson and the Rev. Jack Barkley officiating. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Eddie Nicholson, Johnny Taylor, Clint VanHoy, John Koontz, Henry Walker and Kenneth Haneline.  The family received friends Thursday, April 20 at Eaton Funeral Home.

Memorials: Gordon Hospice House or Hospice/Palliative Care of Iredell, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, 28625; or Alzheimer’s Association Western Carolina Chapter, 4600 Park Road, Ste. 250, Charlotte, 28209.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.