Lee Weddington Earnhardt Jr.

November 7, 1925 - December 23, 2020

Mr. Lee Weddington Earnhardt, Jr., 95, passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. A graveside service is scheduled for 1:00 pm Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at Carolina Memorial Park. Rev. Mark M. Vickers of New Hope United Methodist Church will officiate. Military Honors will be provided at the graveside. Mr. Earnhardt was born November 7, 1925 in Kannapolis. He was a son of the late Lee Weddington Earnhardt, Sr. and Mary Marks Barnhardt Earnhardt. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He served in World War II from 1944 to 1946 as a Marine, participated in combat action at Iwo Jima and received a purple heart. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the beach. In July 1965, Lee caught a King Mackerel that was judged largest of its class for the month by the Southeastern North Carolina Beach Association. He worked at H. E. Hall Furniture Company and Gem Vending/Servomation. He lived in Kannapolis until early retirement, when he was able to move to Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington, where he enjoyed a very happy retirement. He attended Mount Olivet United Methodist Church and after marriage in 1947, he became a member of Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his spouse of 50 years, Emmy Lou Hurlocker Earnhardt; his sister, Mary Louise Earnhardt; his brother, Aubry Wilson Earnhardt; granddaughter, Lisa Fuller; and grandson, Ricky Barnhardt. Mr. Earnhardt is survived by his daughter, Kathy Makely and husband Gary; son, Bob Earnhardt and wife Sylvia; his loving companion of 15 years, Betty Traynham and her sons Ben Traynham and John Hickman. He is survived by granddaughter-in-law, Kim Barnhardt. Surviving grandchildren are Lori Good and husband Ken, Bryan Earnhardt and wife Julia, Ashley Meadows and husband Jacob, Steven Earnhardt, Jason Vaughn, Brandon Vaughn and wife Angelique, Tammie Anderson and husband Kelly, Madison Traynham and wife Kristen, and Morgan Traynham and fiancé Jeffery. Also surviving are 17 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to New Hope United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 110, Bethania, NC 27010, where Lee's son, Bob, is an active member.