Alvin A. Surdivant, Jr.

Year Inducted: 2016

Alvin A. Sturdivant, Jr. was born in 1925 in Akron, OH. His family moved to Wilkes in 1930 and his father began working in the funeral home business. After completing high school in Wilkesboro at 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy becoming a medic in the Amphibious Corps. Sturdivant served from 1943-46, mainly in the Pacific theater taking part in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. During his military service, he received the American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal and two stars, World War II Victory Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal.

Sturdivant attended Appalachian State University on the G.I. Bill for two years before transferring to Virginia Southern College in Roanoke, VA, to complete his studies in accounting and business law. Sturdivant was active in several businesses including: President of Foster-Sturdivant Company, Inc., general contractors; President of Sturdivant Development Company, real estate developers; President of Dollar Organization, Inc. and owner of Sturdivant & Associates, real estate appraisers. During his tenure these companies built over one thousand dwelling units in Wilkes and surrounding counties as well as many public buildings, schools and industrial buildings.

Sturdivant has been active in community service for many years and in many ways including Chairman of Wilkes Regional Medical Center and founder of The Health Foundation, Inc. whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the citizens of Wilkes County. The Health Foundation has sponsored many projects including: West Park, The Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic, the helipad at Wilkes Regional Medical Center, the WRMC Birthing Center expansion, The Kidney Dialysis Center, The Ruby Pardue Blackburn Adult Daycare Center and the Mobile Expanded School Health (MESH) bus. In 1981, Sturdivant was selected by the Wilkes County Home Builders Association as the Associate of the Year and in 1989 he received a “Tribute of Appreciation” in recognition of sustained superior service to the Home Builders Association since its inception. In 2010, Sturdivant was presented with the North Wilkesboro Rotary Club’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year Service Award.

At the age of 80, Sturdivant cofounded a men’s hiking club whose goal is to promote absolutely nothing and whose purpose is purposely vague. Their numbers have grown to more than sixty members and every Wednesday, rain, sleet or snow they will be heading for the mountains. If you are old enough, you are invited to join the group!

He did this with the gracious consent and support of his devoted wife Shirley whose dedication to him and their family made these contributions possible. Shirley and Alvin are members of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilkesboro.