John Arter Narron Sr.

Goldsboro – Mr. John Arter Narron, Sr., 74, of 232 S. Hillcrest Drive, died Monday at Wayne Memorial Hospital.

A native of Johnston County, he was the son of the late W.O. and Bonnie Narron and was married on Jaunary 31, 1948 to the former Vileigh Austin who passed away on November 30, 1999. Mr. Narron graduated from Corinth Holders School where he played baseball and basketball. He played baseball for the Goldsboro Gold Bugs Coastal Plain League and Clinton Tobacco State League. Mr. Narron retired from the retail furniture business, having worked with Isaac-Kahn Furniture Company for 24 years and as co-owner of The Furniture Hut, Inc. for 17 years. He was a member of Madison Avenue Baptist Church where he has served as a Deacon.

Mr. Narron was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Wayne Lodge #112 A.F. & A.M. on June 30, 1949, served as Master in 1965 and served for four years as Secretary. Other Masonic titles and affiliations include: Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 16th Masonic District; Past High Priest of Goldsboro Chapter #29, Royal Arch Masons; Past Illustrious Master of Goldsboro Council #33; Past Commander of Goldsboro Commandery #26, Knights Templar; served as Secretary of Goldsboro York Rite Bodies for five years. In 1966, he received the Knight of York Cross of Honor, is a member of the Holy Order of High Priesthood and a member of Thrice Illustrious Masters Council of North Carolina. He is Past Sovereign Master and member of DeMolay Council # 163, Allied Masonic Degrees, Goldsboro, NC. He served as Provincial Grand Master of the Third Province of the Grand Council of North Carolina.

Mr. Narron is a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Raleigh and was invested with Knight Commander Court of Honor in 1993. He was also a member of the Wayne County Scottish Rite Club. On June 9, 1955, Mr. Narron crossed the hot sands of Sudan Temple. He is Past President and a member of Wayne County Shrine Club and Sudan Mini-Rigs. As a member of Goldsboro Chapter #54 Order of the Eastern Star, Mr. Narron served as Worthy Patron in 1970-71 and 1991-92. He has been a member of the State Executive Committee of the International Order of Rainbow Girls of North Carolina for the last 28 years. He was appointed as Sudan’s Chaplain in January 1998 and continued to serve until his death. Most recently, Mr. Narron had been appointed Chaplain of South Eastern Shrine Association.

Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Madison Avenue Baptist Church with Rev. Dave Fishman and Rev. E.C. Mattocks officiating. Burial with Masonic rites will be in Wayne Memorial Park.

He is survived by his daughters, Joan Narron Hardy and husband, Sam of Smithfield and June Narron Ward and husband, Mike of Smithfield; his sons, Johnny Narron and wife, Gail of Smithfield and Jerry Narron of Goldsboro; sixteen grandchildren; a sister, Elizabeth Starling and husband Keith of Raleigh and many, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mr. Narron was preceded in death by his brothers, M.A. Narron and Brandel Narron.

Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Crippled Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 490, New Bern, NC 28560 or John & Vileigh Narron Scholarship Fund, %Wayne Masonic Lodge #112, 1607 Darby Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530 or Madison Avenue Baptist Church, 300 S. Madison Ave. Goldsboro, NC 27534.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home and other times at his home.