Guy Edwin Haddix, 86, died on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville, N.C., following a short illness. He was born on February 22, 1937, in Philippi, W.Va., to James Guy and Ruby Lake Haddix.

Guy attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C., on a football scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1957. He received his Doctor of Dental Science from West Virginia University’s School of Dentistry in 1961. He then served two years in the United States Air Force, stationed at Custer Air Force Station in Battle Creek, Mich., where he held the rank of captain and was chief of dental services. He married Sally Porter in 1956. They raised five children together before divorcing in 1991.

After visiting and considering a variety of locations in the Southeast, the Haddix family settled in Statesville, N.C., in 1963 and Guy opened a dental practice. His first location was in the Brookdale Shopping Center below Little Pigs Barbecue and later he moved to a custom designed office on Hartness Road that he built with the help of his family. He truly enjoyed his 50-year dental career. His focus was on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and full mouth reconstruction. As a result of his expertise, many patients traveled long distances for his care. His mentor in dentistry was Dr. L.D. Pankey, a pioneer in restorative dentistry and patient-centered care. Guy became a member of the Cadre at the L.D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education Training in Key Biscayne, Fla., and was a member of the visiting faculty for many years. He also taught seminars at his office in Statesville and was invited to teach internationally. He was a member of the American Dental Association and the North Carolina Dental Society.

In 1993 Guy married Linda Childers. They had many happy years together working in the dental practice, traveling, and lovingly renovating the homeplace on Linda’s family farm on Rocky Branch Creek. Over the years, they hosted many family get-togethers at the farm. Their homemade ice cream and Rocky Branch breakfasts are legendary.

When he wasn’t practicing dentistry or doing lab work, Guy played as hard as he worked. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, backpacking, boating, skiing, motorcycling, vegetable gardening, keeping horses, cattle, and dogs, and diy projects. All of these pursuits served as fodder for his stories. Guy came from a long line of Appalachian storytellers and loved nothing better than sitting around the table telling his tales, some taller than others.

Guy was formerly a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and Grace Baptist Church. He also contributed many years of service to the Yokefellow Retreat Center in Lenoir, N.C. In his later years he attended Front Street Baptist Church.

Guy is survived by his wife Linda; his children Mark (Lauren) Haddix, Holli (Kevin) Rainwater, and Chad Haddix, and stepson Shawn (Erin) Fraver; his ten grandchildren Lily, Niki, Luke, Clay, Gabe, Daniel, Michael, Kirk, Lochlan, and Drennen; and fourteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sons, Kirk Haddix and Josh Haddix; his parents; and his siblings Ralph Haddix, Earl Haddix, Edith Carman, and Barbara Spotloe.

A Celebration of Life for Guy is being planned and will be announced at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at Troutman Funeral Home www.troutmanfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to either:

♦ West Virginia University’s School of Dentistry
https://give.wvu.edu/give/430775/?designation=185351#!/donation/checkout or send a check with “School of Dentistry – IMO Dr. Guy Haddix” on the memo line to West Virginia University Foundation, One Waterfront Place, 7th Floor, P.O. Box 1650 Morgantown, WV 26507

♦ North Carolina Friends of State Park
https://www.ncfsp.org/Donate or send a check with “in memory of Guy Haddix” on the memo line to NCFSP, PO Box 37655, Raleigh, NC 27627

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.