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Troy Davis Flinchum, Jr. October 9, 1933 - July 11, 2021

Born: Monday Oct 9, 1933

Died: Sunday Jul 11, 2021

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Troy D. Flinchum, Jr., 87, of Eden, NC, died Sunday, July 11, surrounded by his family at his home in Eden. He was born October 9, 1933 in Spray, NC, the son of Troy D. Sr and Erma Pulliam Flinchum.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, July 14 at First Wesleyan Church in Eden, NC. The family will receive friends from 10 am - 11am and the service will be held at 11 am. A private burial service will be held at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Reidsville, NC.

Troy is survived by his daughter Melody Flinchum Knox of Thousand Oaks, CA, his two sons, T. Todd Flinchum of Blacksburg, VA and Christopher Flinchum of Waynesville, NC, three grandchildren, Daniel Knox, John Knox and Jacob Knox, his sister, Alva Holland of Eden, NC and his devoted long time friend and companion, Ceylon Thornton. He is predeceased by his sister Faye M. Flinchum.

He was head machinist at Lorillard in Greensboro for 37 years, yet this speaks little to the depth and variety of his character. Born in the middle of the Great Depression as the eldest child to a family that had lost all possessions shortly before, he came into this world relying on the kindness and charity of extended family. In the first 12 years of his life, his family went from unemployed mill workers to sharecroppers to small land owners backed up against the Virginia border, forcing their existence from a strip of red, rocky land where young Troy did an outsized amount of the work. He learned a love and knowledge of the land that would stay with him so that even in later life with a city job, he often grew enough food to feed more than one family, food that he gladly gave away to others.

From the Pulliam side of his family, he gained a piercing, interrogating stare as well as a million dollar smile that could lift whole rooms. If he said he would do something, it was done; his word was as powerful as any contract. He was a man that could build a wall, run plumbing, grow food, dance the night away, wire electricity, milk a cow, reconstruct a car engine, pretend to be a lawyer in court and win, tell captivating stories, and spot a lie from a truth at a mile out. He almost never failed at anything he tried and got more done in a week than most did in months. He was the man you wanted on your side in a fight. Although he was known to have a quick temper, he also had a joy and a laughter that brought Christmas.

His claim to fame from his meager birth was that his Grandpa Flinchum, a Primitive Baptist preacher, died in the pulpit preaching one Sunday. From that legacy, faith inevitably became of towering importance and was always at the center of his life. The determination to live by his convictions permeated all corners of his actions. Like his mother, he possessed a profound wisdom and had no qualms arguing with the most knowledgeable pastors, pointing out errors when he thought they were wrong.

The only thing that rivaled his faith was love of family. He married his first love and worked to provide for his family throughout his life. Even when his marriage irrevocably broke, he spent the rest of his life attempting to elevate, salvage, and mend the wounds and stayed fiercely devoted to his children.

In later years, he developed a passion for golf and excelled on the golf course as he did in every other pursuit, eventually representing the state of North Carolina multiple times in the Senior Games where he placed in the top ten nationally for his age group.

The loss felt by those who loved him will be outweighed by the wonder and fulfillment of knowing such a man. This week he will be laid to rest beside Betty Grogan, his first wife, his great love, and the mother of his children.

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.fairfuneralhome.com

We were blessed to know Troy. He was a wonderful man with such a huge infectious smile. May God bring comfort to you all during the days ahead.
Ronnie & Robin Manuel
We send our deepest love and condolences to the family and all those who knew Troy. He was a wonderful cousin, friend, co-worker and golfing buddy. He will always hold a place in our hearts and never be forgotten! We know he is at peace, out of pain and now rejoicing in Heaven with the loved ones who have gone on before him. There is a homecoming to behold and a rejoicing of love. May God be with those who are left behind that he loves and know that you have such precious memories that you will hold dear to your hearts that will carry you through the hard days and make you smile with love at those memories of the man you called Dad, brother, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend❤️🙏💓
Doug & Doris Keaton
we are so sorry for your loss Prayers for the family and friends.
Elvin Hawks and Jennifer
We send our deepest condolences to Troy's family. He was dearly loved here at the Florida Holiness Camp Grounds in Lakeland, Fl. It was always a joy to see him during our winter season.....cheerful, loving & fun.
Chuck & Patti Keefer
Melody, Todd and Chris, I’m so sorry for the loss of your dad. He was a very nice man and I thought a lot of him. He was good to me when I needed a house !! I hate that I will miss the service and seeing all of you … I’m out of town. But my thoughts and prayers are with y’all.
Anita Jennette
Many prayers and lots of love to Christopher and the family at this difficult time. Dad sounded like a terrific man. May he rest comfortably for all eternity.
Bobbi Yarosh
Dear Todd I'm so sad for you at the loss of your amazing father. It was a wonderful thing to read about his life. And his smiling picture was just beautiful. Surely his passing has been a deep sadness for everyone. Sending love, Dee Dee
Lydia Young
I am so sorry to hear about Troy. He was one of my favorite memories of Eden. The night I interviewed I knew it did not go well. I wanted Pastor Rampey to give me the verdict. He surprised me with this response: "Well, I think Troy Flinch said it best. 'I think he needs us more than we need him.' Everything in my life changed because of my opportunity at Eden. I wish I could have seen him one more time to tell him how much I loved and appreciated him for what he did.
Bill Westafer
God has called another soldier home and he was our friend. For the past many years we have enjoyed our time with Troy in the winter and phone calls the rest of the year. We shared Bible discussions, sport facts and stories, family brag fests, uncountable golf games, mutual interests, icecold milk shakes, drives to and from golf courses, tall but always true tales and even some sad stories. This was a friendship made in heaven literally and it will never be forgotten. We are glad to be confident that he is absent from the body and in the presence of Jesus.
James and Donna Lawton

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