Still successfully practicing law at age 88, Mr. Edgar Reel “Ed” Bain died Wednesday, September 08, 2021. He was born January 1, 1933, in Harnett County to Evander M. and Beatrice Bain. The son of tenant farmers, Ed spent much of his early years working around the farm. In 1951, he graduated from Lillington High School and enrolled at Campbell Junior College, where he earned his AA degree, Ed continued his studies at Wake Forest College, earning a BS degree and graduating from law school in 1957. That same year he married Faye McDonald, his wife of 64 years. After law school, Ed worked at the North Carolina Supreme Court as a law clerk for Judge Jeff D. Johnson.
Ed began practicing law with W.A.”Bill” Johnson in Lillington in 1959, and in 1961 became a sole practitioner. During his long and successful legal career, he served as the town attorney for Lillington (for 25 years), the attorney for Campbell College, and served as President of the Harnett County Bar. He practiced law for 64 years, representing thousands of clients from all walks of life. He has often said that “no one has enjoyed the practice of law more than I have”.
From an early age, Ed was actively involved with his church. He taught Sunday school for over 70 years, most of those years teaching the Men’s Sunday school class at Lillington Presbyterian Church. Ed served as a member of the session for 24 years and was the clerk of session for 12 years. The Lillington Presbyterian Church recently honored him as an elder emeritus. He was also a lay minister and has preached in many local Presbyterian churches.
Ed was also active in his community. He helped found and establish Cape Fear Christian Academy and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the school for 15 years. An avid golfer, Ed helped build and develop Pine Burr Golf Course in Lillington and shared his passion for golf by coaching the Cape Fear Christian Academy golf team, guiding them to an independent school state high school championship. No less than seven of his players went on to play college golf. He also coached little league baseball when his children were young. Ed earned a private pilot’s license and flew as far as the West Coast and Canada in his “V” tail Bonanza airplane. He was named chairman of the Harnett County Airport Commission, and in that capacity oversaw the construction of what is now the Harnett County Regional Jetport in Buies Creek.
During his career and many endeavors, Ed met and worked with numerous individuals, attorneys, and clients, making many valued friends along the way.
Ed is survived by his wife, Faye McDonald Bain; two sons, Alton Deems Bain and Clayton Daniel Bain. He has three grandsons: Drew, Daniel, and Canyon Bain. He is predeceased by sisters Sarah B. Odom of Erwin, Hilda B. Hardee and Rachel Bain of Lillington; brothers Delma Bain and LaDell Bain of Lillington.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Friends are invited to visit O’Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home on Friday, September 10, 2021, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to sign the guest register book for Mr. Bain. The family will not be present during this time.
Memorials may be made to Lillington Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 245, Lillington, NC 27546, or Cape Fear Christian Academy, 138 Erwin Chapel Rd., Erwin, NC 28339.
In accordance with current North Carolina COVID-19 guidelines, the funeral home requests that everyone in attendance practice social distancing and wear a face covering.
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