Eugene "Pop" Lewis Ledford, 91, of Hickory passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at Catawba Regional Hospice.

He was born October 26, 1925 in Mitchell County to the late Robert and Ora McNeil Ledford. Pop was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hickory . Pop was an Army Veteran stationed in the Philippines and Japan during WWII.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Doris W. Ledford; son, Robert Ledford; daughter, Gayle Marie Ledford; three brothers and four sisters.

Those left to cherish his memory are his sons: Gary Ledford and wife Carol of Hickory; Steve Ledford of Hickory; Kevin Ledford and wife Jennifer of Conover; daughter, Loretta Brittain and husband Ronnie of Hickory; daughter in law, Phyllis Ledford of Maiden; ten grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

Services to celebrate Pop's life will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 1:00 pm in the chapel of Henline-Hughes Funeral Home with Rev. Justin Houser officiating. Burial will follow in the Wilson Cemetery in Bakersville with military honors. The family will receive friends from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Risen Baptist Church Building Fund, 571 Salem Church Road , Lincolnton , NC 28092 . Condolences may be sent to the Ledford Family at www.bennettfuneralservice.com.

The Ledford family is in the care of Bennett Funeral Service of Conover with the assistance of Henline-Hughes Funeral Home.