Franklin Eugene Krider

Franklin Eugene “Gene” Krider , 86, of Statesville, passed away November 19, 2018 at Gordon Hospice House.

Gene was born November 6, 1932 in Statesville, NC and was the son of the late Ferdinand Eugene “Dutch” Krider and Ophelia Sims Krider.

Gene graduated from Statesville Senior High Class of 1951 and thoroughly enjoyed these lifelong friends. While at North Carolina State University. In 1956 he was the first student in the School of Design to pass the architectural licensing exam on the first attempt.  He started his career with Design Associates, Inc. partnering with Andrew Pendleton and William Leonard. After they retired he partnered with Charles (Chuck) Goode. One notable design is the BB&T Main Building on corner of Broad Street and Salisbury Road, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Statesville are among the many area churches he designed. He also designed many downtown Statesville Storefronts and in 1976 he designed the Iredell County Library. Also, Iredell County Agricultural Center along with several other government buildings and renovations are design legacies he leaves us.

Gene loved his hometown Statesville, NC. “I’ve always been a great believer in Statesville. I see a lot of beauty here and I’ve always been in favor of preserving that beauty.” He was a leader who gave so much of himself to the community and in 2003 was awarded The Mayor’s Cup for his many years of service on the Statesville Appearance Commission Board. Gene led many of the boards and committees he served on with honor and received many other accolades: Downtown Statesville Development Corporation, Iredell County Arts Council, MacDowell Music Club, Iredell Concert Association (Now Performing Arts Live) Statesville Chamber of Commerce, Statesville Little Theater, Stagefront Music Theater. Music was his passion and he was a gifted musician. Many of the scores for Statesville Little Theater productions were his compositions. He created the Iredell Opera Touring Association and Iredell County Baroque Ensemble; he also served on the Reynolda House Chamber Music Association Board in Winston-Salem.

Gene is survived by four children, Elizabeth Mercedes Krider, Katy Krider Fox (Doug), Edward Eugene Krider (Dana), Susan Krider Sharp (Dan); five grandchildren. Danielle Krider Foote (Kenny), Brittany Nicole Krider (Casey Frye), Alexander Reid Sharp (Erika), John Murray Sharp, Emily Marie Huffman; three great grandchildren, Mason Foote, Madelyn Foote, Ryder Frye; one sister, Nancy Krider Benfield (Bill); three brothers, William Scott Krider (Peggy), John Allan Krider, Daniel Wood Krider (Nelda) and many nieces and nephews. Dear to his heart, Rich and Anne Nguyen and son Charlie. He was preceded in death by one sister, Julia Ann Krider.

Every day was an opportunity to learn something new and do something meaningful. Gene hosted a number of foreign exchange students and visited several of their homes abroad. He immensely enjoyed learning about different cultures and thoroughly believed that all of us on this earth were to be treated with the same respect, no matter their background.

There will be a celebration of Gene’s life on Friday, November 23, 2018 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. A concert featuring several of his favorite pieces of music will start at 2:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service starting at 2:30 pm

The family has requested that memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church – Habitat for Humanity Project, 125 N. Meeting Street, Statesville, NC 28677 or to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 825 Wesley Drive, Statesville, NC 28677. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Gene Krider.



Donations may be made to:
Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church825 Wesley Dr., Sttesville NC 28677First Presbyterian Church125 N. Meeting St., Statesville NC 28677