Reginald Wyatt Coltrain, Sr.

Published 3:22 am Saturday, July 16, 2016

Reginald Wyatt Coltrain, Sr., or as all of his family, friends and customers knew him, “Reg”, went home to his Father and family Thursday, July 14, 2016. He was at his second favorite place to C and R Implement Company, home, with his loved ones gathered around.

Reg lived 83 years of Christian love and community service. He was born December 21, 1932 at the Coltrain Home Place on Holly Springs Church Road in Martin County to Irvine D. Coltrain and Mary Clyde Hardison Peele. Mary Clyde and Reg would often laugh at how they “grew up together” and leaned on one another, especially when Mary Clyde lost her first husband and Reg’s father and Reg gained a new step-father, Leroy “Roy” Fleming. Their unwavering support continued at Roy’s passing when Reg embraced another father figure, Wendell Peele.

Reg graduated from Williamston High School where he was on the State Championship football team and was a lifelong member of Reddicks Grove Baptist church.

Reg was a proud National Guard serviceman. He was a member of the 150th AAA Gun Battalion of the National Guard, Unit C of Williamston. He served in many capacities from Platoon Sgt. to 1^st Sgt. His devotion to civil responsibility continued when he returned from service and began working at the Williamston Post Office.

Reg married his bride, Leda Faye Manning in 1957 at Piney Grove Baptist Church. Whether you were there or have seen the black and white wedding photos, their love was radiant. It was also the mortar in which they built a beautiful lifetime together.

Reg became a co-founder and co-owner of C & R Implement Company in 1963. He was dedicated to the business, its employees, its customers and the brands in which he represented like Massey Ferguson, Bush Hog, Powell, and AGCO. He saw these people as extensions of his family and looked after them as such. He always knew C & R would continue its reputation of greatness under the leadership of Donald Beacham.

Leda Faye and Reg started their family on the same property Mary Clyde and Irvine had started their family with Reg himself. They had a daughter, Jennifer and later a son, Wyatt. The loving memories of their childhood included pool days at Sandy Ridge, traveling to State Championship Games, water skiing on the Cashie River, and so on but no matter the story or memory, Reg was always mentioned.

Throughout the years, Jennifer joined Reg at C & R where they evolved from family to also good friends. None-the-less, Reg looked after Jennifer as only a father can during her battle with cancer and mourned the loss of a best friend when she passed. Reg also continued to look after his mother until her death in to whom he was endlessly devoted. Reg proudly watched Wyatt grow in his roles with the Greenville Police Department and boasted on his long service to the Navy Reserves. He doted on his “girls” and granddaughters, Cassie and Lane, and almost never missed a sports game, band recital or other life event. Their place was always on the arms of his chair or sharing bowls of popcorn and ice cream with him late at night. He was a relevant and present father and grandfather who valued education and hard work. He was proud to see these traits lived in the lives of his children and grandchildren and always gave love and praise for even the smallest of accomplishments.

Throughout his lifetime, Reg was a servant of the Lord as well as a servant leader in his community. His support touched organizations like the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, Williamston High School Band Boosters and Athletic Club, and the Marco Investment Club. His leadership roles included the Martin General Hospital Board, Williamston High School Advisory Board, Deacon at Reddicks Grove Baptist Church, Massey Ferguson U.S. Dealer Council, AGCO Dealer Parts Advisory Council, Martin County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Chairman of the Mid-East RC&D Council and President of the Carolina Farm & Power Equipment Dealers Association.

His humility and gentle generosity were known by so many. It was the twinkle behind his eye even when he was being a rough and quick witted farm man. If there was a need, Reg would find a way to fill it through the generosity of his time, talent or treasure. He was called and compelled to give and many lives throughout the county, state, and beyond have been touched by his belief that it is our duty to look after others, especially those who work hard and show great potential.

He is survived by his wife, Leda Faye Coltrain of Williamston, NC; son, Wyatt Coltrain of Greenville, NC; granddaughters, Cassie Harris of Williamston, NC and Lane Harris Greene and husband, Alex of Raleigh, NC. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Coltrain Harris.

The family received friends on Friday, July 15, 2016 at Reddicks Grove Baptist Church from 6:30 – 8:30 pm and at other times at the residence of Reg Coltrain. Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, July 16^th at Reddicks Grove Baptist Church at 11:00 am. Burial with military honors will follow at Woodlawn.

Memorials may be made to Reddicks Grove Baptist Church (1800 Reddicks Grove Church Rd) and the Vidant Medical Center Foundation (690 Medical Dr Greenville, NC 27835).