Donald Stroud

Donald George Stroud, Sr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on December 6, 2021. Donald was born November 28, 1938 in Durham and raised in Wake Forest, North Carolina. 

Donald is survived by his beloved wife of over sixty years, Sarah Guylene Hill Stroud. Their marriage has served as a model of love and devotion for all of us. He is also survived by his son, Donald G. Stroud, Jr. and wife Mary Lawrence of Wake Forest; his three grandchildren, Dr. Sarah Garrett Stroud and her husband Clayton Whetung of San Francisco, California; Hillary Rose Stroud of Chapel Hill; and Benjamin Forrest Stroud of Greensboro. He is survived by his sister Nancy M. Puckett and two nieces, Joye Cameron and Karen Bowes.  He was predeceased by his mother Hettie S. Murphy.  He has many beloved cousins and dear friends.

Donald attended Wake Forest public schools, Wake Forest High School and Frederick Military Academy in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was a talented athlete and a superb baseball player.  He spent a summer practicing with the New York Yankees in 1958. Donald continued to stay active by running and walking regularly for years. He was often seen taking his daily three-mile walk up North Main Street and around the campus through this past summer.

Donald’s career included working for the Town of Wake Forest, Wake Electric Membership Corporation and Triangle Services Group where he made many close friends. He was a past member of the Wake Forest Fire Department Board of Directors and he served on the Wake Forest Planning Board.  He and Guylene enjoyed traveling with close friends for some years and always spent time with their family. He loved spending time around the water at Oriental, taking family and friend trips to the coast and golfing. He was an avid reader and enjoyed trading books with his friends. He loved watching Westerns and Wake Forest University football and basketball games. Through many years, Donald and Guylene proudly supported their son Don’s school sports, activities and friends.  Friends often reminisce about how they always felt welcome and at home with the Strouds. Always a devoted father and grandfather, “D” to his grandchildren, he was a proud champion of all of their activities, athletics and school plays. His beaming pride in his grandchildren was genuinely obvious. He was a wonderful babysitter and also took great care of the grand pups who adored him.  Donald loved his family beyond measure and was always quick to express his love, appreciation and pride. 

Donald was a faithful member of Wake Forest Baptist Church where he could be found in the same pew each Sunday.  He grew up attending Glen Royal Baptist Church as a youth and later Wake Forest United Methodist with his family.  His faith was a constant in his life.

The family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to our dear friends and neighbors who have always faithfully supported us, special caregiver Janet Crudup, Sheryl Glenn and Transitions Life Care for their caring professionalism and support.  Thank you to all our extended family who have loved and supported us.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Wake Forest Baptist Church at 107 South Avenue, Wake Forest, North Carolina, 27587; Transitions Life Care at 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607; and Raleigh Charter High School at 1307 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina 27605.

Donald’s memorial service will be held at Wake Forest Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon, December 12 at 3:00 p.m.  A reception will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall.

Interment will be Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens in Wake Forest.  All are welcome.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest, NC.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.