KINSTON--- Wilbur Jackson “Jack” Rider, 89, of 3428 Lakeview Trail, Kinston, N.C., died Saturday, April 14, 2007 following a long period of declining health. Born in the Pitt County community of Hanrahan to John W. and Mary Olivia Jackson Rider, he called Kinston home from the time he was a small child. He grew up in east Kinston exploring the banks of the Adkin tributary of the Neuse River. He graduated from Grainger High School and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill briefly following World War II. A veteran of World War II, Rider served in the Army Air Corps as an armorer in the 487th Fighter Wing of the 382nd Group, Eighth Air Force. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a member and past commander of the local American Legion Post. Rider was in the public eye as a journalist. He was the editor and publisher of two weekly newspapers, the Lenoir County News and the Jones Journal for 23 and 21 years, respectively. He was perhaps best known as a broadcast news reporter and commentator, first working for several local radio stations before becoming co-owner of radio stations WFTC and WRNS. In addition to local newscasts and daily commentaries, he hosted a popular talk show called, “Get the Answer.” He was a public servant, first appointed member of the Lenoir County Welfare Board in 1949. He served on the Social Services Commission from 1972 to 1980. Rider was a member of the Kinston Recreation Commission from 1950 to 1965 and served as its chairman for several years. He was a member and founding president of the Kinston Baseball Company, which was instrumental in bringing professional baseball back to Kinston in the 1960s. An avid reader throughout his life, Rider was a strong supporter of education. He was one of the founding fathers of Arundel Parrott Academy. He was elected in 1972 to the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners and was reelected for a second term in 1976. He also served four years in the N.C. State Veterans Commission. Throughout his life he was recognized by various professional and civic organizations for his achievements in writing, broadcasting and community service. After retiring in 1981, he enjoyed his family, golf, traveling and spending time at the coast in Carteret County. He is survived by his wife, Muriel Garner Rider; children: Libby Jones and her husband, Bernice, New York, N.Y.; Jan Rider, Sandford, N.C.; Jack Rider, Jr., Newport, N.C.; grandchildren, Olivia Jones, New York, N.Y., Jackson Jones, Northampton, Ma.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside service is planned for 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 19, at Westview Cemetery in Kinston with Dr. Carl Frazier, Jr., senior pastor at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Sanford, officiating. Visitors are welcome at the home 7-9 Wednesday night at 3428 Lakeview Trail, Kinston, N.C. Arrangements are being handled by Edwards Funeral Home, Kinston, N.C. In lieu of flowers donations to the W. Jack Rider Scholarship at Arundel Parrott Academy, attn. Sue Ellen Maddox, P. O. Box 1297, Kinston, N.C. 28503-1297 are encouraged. (Paid obituary)
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