Ruben Franklin Stroud

Mr. Ruben Franklin Stroud, 79, of Statesville, passed away Friday, June 24, 2016, at his home with his family by his bedside. Mr. Stroud was born June 5, 1937, in Iredell County and was the son of the late Earl Franklin and Bessie York Stroud.  He was a graduate of Cool Spring High School and attended Mitchell Community College.  On March 14, 1964, he married Evelyn Loveless Stroud, who survives. Mr. Stroud was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as a security agent stationed in Japan.  He worked as an electrical engineer for Fiber Industries/Hoechst Celanese. Mr. Stroud was the most patient, boat loving, barefooted, bare-chested, laid back yacht captain you would ever meet.  He was a man of few words but when he spoke, his words were firm and clear.  In some cases, his words were not even needed.  His body language was at times even louder and more clear; with things like the “toothpick twirl”, “the look”, and finally, “if I get up from this chair”.   No matter what, one thing that was never questioned was his love for his family.  That was evident in his marriage to Evelyn for over 52 years. In addition to his wife, Evelyn, he is survived by a son, Dwayne Stroud (Jeannie) of Statesville; two daughters, Sandy Bell (Francis) of Statesville, and Tracy Hall (Ken) of Elizabethton, TN.  He is also survived by three grandsons, Brandon Gregory of Harmony and Christian and Joshua Stroud, both of Statesville along with four granddaughters, Tiffany and Taylor Hall of Johnson City, TN, Savanna Stroud and Janna Bell, both of Statesville.  He is further survived by two sisters, Coleen Clarke and Dorothy Steelman, both of Statesville. Funeral services for Ruben Stroud will be conducted at 4:00 PM Monday, June 27, 2016, at CountrySide Baptist Church with Pastor James Smith and Pastor Randy Goodin officiating.  The family will visit with friends Monday afternoon from 2:00 until 3:45 PM at the church.  Burial with full military honors will follow in the church cemetery.  Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Campbell, J.D. Stroud, Jerry Green, Scottie Wyatt, and Clyde Hollar. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Ruben Stroud.