Eric Dean Fortune Sr. of Mocksville died on Nov. 14, 2017.

He was born at Rowan Memorial Hospital to Alice Fortune and the late QD Fortune on March 6, 1961. He was baptized as a child at Radio Church of God in New York, N.Y. He was educated in Westchester County schools in New York and graduated from Yonkers High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He proudly served his country oversees and earned nine service awards before retiring to devote time to family. He made his home in North Carolina, where he was blessed with six children and nine grandchildren, and worked for the NC Finishing Co. A strong believer in formal education, he graduated from Forsyth Technical College. He enjoyed fishing and working on cars, which he shared with his son Eric Jr., his brothers William and Barry, his nephews, cousins, and friends. He loved traveling and visited his son and daughter at the beach often. Family was perhaps his most treasured, and he loved when everyone would come together to share food and laughs.

He was preceded in death by his father, QD Fortune.

Survivors: his mother, Alice Fortune of Mocksville; his children Tushara Rhodes (David) of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Whitney Stout (Jonathan) of High Point, Eric Jr. of Myrtle Beach, Katina White of Charlotte, Brianna White of Salisbury, and Samantha Villegas of Mocksville; his niece, Katina Williams (Andrew) of Mooresville; grandchildren,  Byran III, Sydney, Jonathan Jr., Ethan, Jordan, Armon, Allen, Sasha, and Napua; brothers Barry D. Fortune and wife Tracy A. Thompkins Fortune of Mocksville and William D. Fortune and wife Deborah Fortune of Winston-Salem; sisters, Cynthia Smith and husband Zachary, and Barbara Miller, all of Salisbury; nephews, Gerald Jr. (Keisha), Lawrence, Jermaine, Pierre, Rashad, Barry II, Kenyatta, Matthew, and Isaac; nieces Naomi and Gabrielle; 2 great-nephews; 3 great-nieces; best friends, Maceo Redmond and Greg Linden; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, fellow servicemen and women, and friends.

His funeral service will be held on Monday, Nov. 20 at noon at Graham Funeral Home in Mocksville. Minister Joshua Jones will officiate and burial will follow with full military rites at National Cemetery in Salisbury. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour before the service.

Condolences: www.GrahamFuneralHome.net.