Edward "Ted" Merritt McEachern, Jr., age 88, of Hickory, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 28, 2021. He was born in High Point on February 11, 1933 to the late Edward "Ned" Merritt and Leora "Billie" Hiatt McEachern.

Mr. McEachern was a lifeguard at Wrightsville Beach in his youth, before serving in top leadership roles during his professional career. A retired Navy captain of 38 years, Ted deeply loved sailing and the ocean. He had a real sense of wanderlust and enjoyed discovering new places around the world through his many travels. While living in Winston-Salem, Ted was vice president at Wachovia Bank (Trust Department)  During his time in Virginia Beach, he served as director of computer operations at Sentara Healthcare

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 65 years, Patricia Starnes McEachern of the home; one son, Edward (Ed) Merritt McEachern, III of Cumming, Georgia; two daughters, Sally Bentley and husband Keith of Hickory and Amy McEachern and wife Alice of San Francisco, California; four grandchildren, Becky Bentley Stokes and husband Rex of Hickory, Matt Bentley and wife Allie of Blowing Rock, Taylor McEachern and wife Stacey of Buford, Georgia, and Helen McEachern and husband Nick of Bountiful, Utah; and three great-grandchildren, Hunter McEachern, Olivia McEachern, and Rome Bentley.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Rev. Ron Burgett. Interment will follow at Floral Gardens Cemetery, 1730 W English Road, High Point, NC at 3:00 P.M. with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Amorem Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Ave. NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.