In 2016, we said goodbye to some of those who helped shaped North Carolina. From captains of industry, to statesman and athletes, the Old North State has a rich history of leaders and icons.Arnold Palmer, 1929-2016 Regarded
as one of the greatest players in golf history, Palmer attended Wake
Forest University, then Wake Forest College, on a golf scholarship.
Palmer also designed dozens of golf courses across the state.Ralph Ketner, 1920-2016 Co-founder of Food Lion and perpetual philanthropist, Ketner passed away at age 95 after a battle with colon cancer.Sen. Robert Morgan, 1926-2016 A former senator from N.C. and Lillington native, Morgan died at age 90 after a career serving as a state legislator, a U.S. senator and state attorney general.Rep. Paul Luebke, 1946-2016A longtime and influential N.C. House member, Luebke died at the age of 70 from complications from lymphoma. Luebke was running for re-election for his seat representing Durham’s 30th district.Rep. Ralph Johnson, 1954-2016 The Democratic representative from Guilford County, Johnson died on the primary election day after suffering a stroke. His colleagues called him a “trailblazer.”J. Earl Danieley, 1924-2016 President emeritus of Elon University and one of North Carolina’s strongest advocates for higher education, Danieley passed away at age 92.Dorothy Dent Park, 1913-2016 President emeritus of the charitable Park Foundation which has committed nearly $140 million to NC State and the widow of NC State alumnus Roy H. Park, Sr. ’31, died at the age of 103.Keith Brodie, 1939-2016 A psychiatrist, educator and former president of Duke University, Brodie died at the age of 77 at his home in Durham.
