Mr. David Clem Faircloth, 86

STEDMAN David Clem “D.C.” Faircloth, 86, passed away at Autumn Wind Assisted Living in Roseboro on August 7, 2016. He leaves behind his wife, Pearl Williams Faircloth of Stedman; a daughter, Cathy Faircloth Kinlaw and husband Tim of White Lake; and a son, Thomas A. Faircloth and wife Carol St. Louis of Fayetteville. Mr. Faircloth was an extraordinary grandfather to three grandsons, Daniel K. Faircloth, T. David Kinlaw, and Robert T. Kinlaw. For 35 years, Mr. Faircloth was employed as manager of Machine and Welding Company in Fayetteville. His creative energy and natural engineering talent afforded him many unique opportunities. He helped design the first Putt-Putt miniature golf course in America. He built a hang glider and piloted a Hovercraft. Because of his innate engineering prowess, he assisted the U.S. Army with numerous technical, machining, and engineering challenges. Mr. Faircloth was widely respected as “the man who could create anything.” He spent over 50 summers at White Lake, where he taught hundreds of children and adults to water ski. He was a principle organizer of the 3rd largest hang gliding tournament in the world. Mr. Faircloth was an essential part of the success of eight professional water skiers, one of whom recently served as coach of the U.S. Olympic Water Ski Team. He traveled across North Carolina as the official boat driver for the White Lake Ski Heels. His contributions to the art of water skiing and the community of White Lake are showcased in a UNC-TV Public Television documentary entitled “White Lake - Remembering the Nation’s Safest Beach.” In later years, he served his native Stedman community as a member of the Community Development Club, caretaker for Fisher Cemetery, and a member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church. The family will receive visitors at the White Lake cottage on Wednesday, August 10th, and at the family home in Stedman on August 11th and 12th. Visitation is Thursday, August 11th, from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Butler Funeral Home in Stedman. Services are Friday, August 12th, at 11:00 A.M. at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Stedman. A burial service will follow at Roseboro Cemetery in Roseboro. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cokesbury UMC, or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Butler Funeral Home of Stedman.