Richard Murdock Wilkie, Sr

Richard Murdock “Rick” Wilkie, 72, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Mitchell Mack Hospice House in Mooresville.  Born February 13, 1951 in Sanford, NC, Mr. Wilkie was the son of the late Earl Murdock Wilkie and Minnie Alma Wilkie.  

Educated in the public schools of Lee County, he was a 1969 graduate of Sanford Central High School where he was an all-conference catcher on the baseball team and a member of the 1968 State 3A Championship football team.  Upon graduation, he attended Southwood Junior College on a baseball scholarship.  He then graduated from NC State University with a degree in turfgrass management.  Following graduation, Rick and his former wife, Claire, lived in Raleigh for three years where he served as golf course superintendent at NC State University Faculty Club. They relocated to Salisbury where he managed the golf course at Salisbury Country Club. He then worked for Southland Packaging Company of Statesville, NC as Purchasing Manager until his retirement.  While in Salisbury, Rick was a member of First Baptist Church and enjoyed his Westcliffe neighbors where good friendships and travel buddies were made.  Rick and his current wife, Karyl, settled in Mooresville.  He loved spending time with his family, friends, grandchildren, and pets. Rick loved watching and coaching his son, Richard, play sports, especially baseball.  He also loved following Carolina Panthers football and Atlanta Braves baseball.

Rick is survived by his wife Karyl Floyd Wilkie of Mooresville; son Richard Wilkie, Jr. (Deanna) of Greer, SC; stepchildren Jenna Wade and Alyson Wade (Ian Holt); sister, Beth Stovall of Waynesville, NC; grandchildren, Hannah, Luke, Marcel, Emmett, Rosalie, and Ariel; and former wife Claire Cline (David) of Boone, NC.  Rick held close lifelong friendships with his Sanford Central High School friends and teammates and especially “the annual beach crew”.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Rogers Pickard Funeral Home, Sanford, NC with Tom Rempson officiating.  Burial will follow at Buffalo Cemetery.  Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Lee County Animal Services, 1450 North Horner Blvd, Sanford, NC  27330.