Ned Everett Delamar, Jr.

ORIENTAL – Ned Everett Delamar Jr, 93, found peace on November 18, 2013 at his Sterling House residence in New Bern. Born July 10, 1920 in Oriental, he is preceded in death by his father, Ned E. Delamar Sr, mother, Pearl Johnson Delamar, wife, Libby Woodard Delamar, son, Ned E. Delamar III, and brother, Paul J. Delamar Sr.

Ned is survived by his son, Dennis Woodard Delamar of Charlotte; daughter, Mary Delamar Flythe and husband, Michael, of New Bern; daughter-in-law, Joan Delamar Gracie and husband, Larry Gracie of Oriental; grand daughters, Emily Caroline Flythe of Hanoi,Vietnam and Elizabeth Crockett Henderson and husband, Carl of Swansboro; grand sons, Bill Flythe of Wilmington and John Hales Delamar of Oriental; great grandchildren, Caroline, John Crockett, and Annabelle Henderson of Swansboro; nephew, Paul J. Delamar Jr and wife, Cynthia, and many beloved nieces, nephews and their descendants.

Growing up in Oriental, he never faltered from his deep love for this small town on the coast where he spent most of his life. His home on Main Street was his castle, the view from his front porch he said was his most perfect place in the world. After graduating from Oriental High School in 1937, he studied at the Chicago Conservatory of Music and University of Richmond before entering the US Army. He served from 1940 – active duty and active reserve 28 years. Fought in five major campaigns during WWII; Infantry Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant in Combat. Received direct commission and retired US Army Active Reserve as Lieutenant Colonel. A member of the 82nd Airborne Division, he was decorated with many medals of heroism and service including two Purple Hearts.

He and Libby were married in 1946 and built their home in Oriental where they raised their three children. A member of the Oriental Methodist Church his whole life, he was a Sunday school teacher, choir member, and a delegate to the NC Methodist Conference for many years. His brother Paul and Ned owned and operated Delamar Brothers General Merchandise at the foot of the Oriental Bridge while Ned simultaneously served as Pamlico County’s Representative in the state legislature from 1955 to 1965. A great advocate of education, he co-sponsored and introduced the Community College Act of 1963 that began the NC Community College System fifty years ago.

From 1965 to 1980 he became a liaison with the Dept of Community Colleges and the state legislature, also serving as the director of Specialty Education Programs for the system until he retired and moved back to Oriental in 1980. From 1980 to 1988 he served as the Executive Director of NC Fisheries Association and consultant in Southeast state legislatures and the US Congress.
In 1998 he was honored with the distinguished I.E. Ready for his service to the state’s community college system. A new building, The Ned Everett Delamar Center was dedicated at Pamlico Community College in 2008 to honor his legacy, also the Ned E Delamar Scholarship awarded each year to a deserving student.

He will be remembered fondly as a man who never met a stranger. An entertainer and politician at heart, he charmed young and old with his vast collection of funny stories and recitations, beautiful singing voice, great sense of fun, ventriloquism, magic tricks, and his gifted ability to command the room. He was characterized by his commitment to his church, family, community, and country; his lifetime of service to others; and a genuine love of people.

The family extends special thanks and appreciation to the caring staff of Sterling House of New Bern and the doctors and nurses of Eastern Nephrology of New Bern, Pamlico Medical Center of Bayboro, and Community Health Care and Hospice of New Bern.

A celebration of Ned’s life will be Friday November 22, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at Oriental Methodist Church on 404 Freemason Street with Reverends Charles Moseley and Stan Brown officiating. Visitation with the family will begin there at 9:15 a.m. prior to the service. A graveside service will follow at Oriental Cemetery with Masonic Rites and US military honors. Other visitation this week will take place at the home of Mary and Michael Flythe, 1998 Jack Rabbit Lane, New Bern NC 28562.

In lieu of flowers contributions in Ned’s memory may be made to Oriental United Methodist Church, PO Box 70, Oriental NC 28571 or Ned E Delamar Scholarship, Pamlico Community College Foundation, PO Box 185, Grantsboro, NC 28529.