Fred C. Sink

Fred C. Sink, 78, of Woodcrest Drive, died Sunday, July 3, 2011, at Hinkle Hospice House. The funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Howard G. Baker officiating. Burial will follow in Sandy Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2011, at Davidson Funeral Home and other times at the home. Fred C. Sink was born August 29, 1932, to Louise and Edmond Sink at the Sink homeplace in the Pilgrim Community. He had one sister, Betsy Rose Ritchie, now deceased. After graduation from Pilot High School in 1950, where he excelled in 6 man football, basketball, and baseball, he was awarded a football scholarship to Lees-McCrae College. A football injury brought him back to Davidson County. In 1947 and 1948 he played American Legion baseball with the 1948 team, winning the division. Shortly after, in 1949 he began his service in the US Army at Fort Jackson. Shortly afterward, a scout approached him about playing pro-ball with the Old Cleveland Indians. In March he went to Spring training in Daytona Beach, Fla., training with people like Herb Score and Roger Marris. Choosing to be with family he returned to Davidson County where he went to work at the Commercial Bank. On April 30, 1955, after returning to Davidson County, he married Leona Ray Owens. To this union was born four daughters, Susan, Kim, Holly and Jody. Clearly disappointed that they were not four boys, he would say, “Well, you can’t beat four of a kind.” Always, in the back of his mind he knew he would be expected to run for sheriff as his namesake uncle, Fred C. Sink, had done. Thus in 1964, his political life began, one he loved so much. Fred was elected sheriff in 1966 – 1974, then U.S. Marshal, then sheriff again. After this, he became Emergency Management Director, from there to Furniture Makers Supply. In 1996 Sink was elected County Commissioner, serving as chairman, being elected three times. In 2011 he was inducted into the Davidson County Republican Hall of Fame. Fred was a member of St. Lukes Lutheran Church in Tyro, serving as chairman of the council at one time, and as a youth director. Sink was a member of the Moose Lodge, charter member of the Elks and a member of Oasis Shriners. Fred loved Davidson County, sports, and his daughters. Surviving are his loving wife of 56 years, Leona Sink of the home; daughters, Susan Sink Brown and husband, Steve, of Lexington, Kim Sink of Winston-Salem, Holly Sink Poarch of Lenoir, and Jody Sink of Mocksville; grandchildren, Shannon Wagner, Courtney Poarch Anders, Taylor Poarch, and Will Davis; great-grandchildren, Nathan Wagner and Hunter Anders. Memorials may be made to St. Lukes Lutheran Church, 4299 S. NC Highway 150, Lexington, NC 27295; or to Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292.