A story on Coach Stratton will be in Sunday’s sports.

 

Mr. John Harvey Stratton, Jr., 91, of Ocean Isle Beach, NC and formerly Salisbury, NC passed away
peacefully Friday, September 29, 2023, at Brookdale Lawndale Park in Greensboro.
Harvey was born July 6, 1932, in Morganton, the son of John Harvey Stratton, Sr. and Macie Lingafelt
Stratton. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Carolyn Whisnant Stratton and
daughter, Cynthia Jane Stratton.
Harvey was an outstanding athlete at Catawba College, as he was a four-year letterman in football and

baseball. He received All-State and honorable mention All-America recognition in football and All-
Conference in baseball.

After graduating from Catawba and completing his service as a US Army Veteran, serving during the
Korean War, he received his master’s in education degree from the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. He returned to his alma mater where he worked his entire career.
Harvey was a coach, physical education and anatomy professor. He was an assistant football coach
1957-1961, head football coach 1961-1972, head baseball coach 1958-1962, golf coach 1963-1978 and
athletic director 1963-1982. He was twice named Carolinas Conference coach of the year in both
football and baseball. He was inducted into the Catawba College Hall of Fame in 1984. He served in a
leadership position in the Carolinas Conference, commissioner of the South Atlantic Conference, and
also served as manager of the Salisbury minor league baseball team. He worked his remaining years
until retirement as Vice President of Development at the college.
Harvey, only known as “Coach” or Poppy to his family, enjoyed golf (playing three times a week), fishing
at the coast, gardening, cooking and tinkering in his garage. He left the door open for all visitors. As an
avid reader of fiction books, he developed a Scotland Street (OIB) library that he shared with all. He was
a kind, sharp-witted, fun, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He will be
missed.
Those left to cherish his memory include his son, John Harvey Stratton, III (Kimberly Statham);
granddaughters Erin Brady (Chris), Lindsay Stafford (Ridge)and Macie Heintz (Michael) (all living in
Charlotte); great grandchildren, Stratton, Buck, Sloane, Preston, Harvey and Hank.
A private family celebration of his life will be held Sunday, October 8, 2023, at his son’s home in
Greensboro, NC.
The family asks with gratitude that memorials in Harvey’s name be made to Catawba College Athletic
Department, 2300 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144.
Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.