RALEIGH, North Carolina — The families of five passengers killed in a 2022 plane crash off the North Carolina coast have settled wrongful death lawsuits against the companies that owned the plane and employed the pilot and the pilot’s estate for $15 million, family representatives announced Friday.
All eight people aboard the Pilatus PC-12/47E died when it descended into the Atlantic Ocean off the Outer Banks. Four teenagers and two adults on the plane were returning from a hunting trip. The two others were the pilot and his adult son, who was a student pilot, the suit said.
Attorneys for the families filed dismissals in Carteret County on Thursday, reflecting that the companies that employed the pilot and owned the plane have paid $15 million, according to a news release.
The settling defendants are EDP Management Group and Green Assets, both of Wilmington, and the Estate of Ernest “Teen” Durwood Rawls, the pilot. The settlement was reached on behalf of the families of deceased passengers Noah Lee Styron, 16; Michael Daily Shepherd, 15; Jacob Nolan Taylor, 17; Jonathan Kole McInnis, 16; and Stephanie Fulcher, 42, the mother of McInnis. The four teenagers on board were all students at East Carteret High School.
Hunter Parks, 45, one of those killed in the crash, was the founder and chairman of Green Assets, according to the company’s website. His family is not involved in the suits.
“The families filed these lawsuits to get answers and hold accountable the companies and individuals whose negligence led to this tragedy,” Andrew C. Robb, a Kansas City-based aviation attorney who represented the families, said in a statement. “The families are grateful that this phase of their lawsuits has come to a close, and they will now continue the difficult process of trying to re-build their lives.”
There was no immediate response to Associated Press emails seeking comment from attorneys representing EDP Management Group and Green Assets. The settlement does not affect claims against Dillon’s Aviation of Greenville, which had performed maintenance on the plane, Robb said by telephone.
The plane took off February 13 in the early afternoon from Hyde County Airport, which is on the mainland near the Pamlico Sound. The plane’s destination was southwest across the sound to Beaufort, which is along the southern edge of the Outer Banks in Carteret County.
The suit filed in May alleged Rawls failed to maintain control over the plane and improperly flew into weather conditions with limited visibility that required the use of instrumentation. The suit also asserted that Rawls failed to maintain adequate communication with air traffic control and failed to avoid restricted military airspace, “leading to an erratic and irregular flight path.”
The suit alleged Rawls improperly relied on a co-pilot with “inadequate training and experience” to fly around the restricted airspace and in those weather conditions. Rawls’ son, Jeffrey Rawls, reportedly had 20 hours of flight experience, the suit stated. The suit also claimed Rawls failed to conduct a proper weight and balance evaluation before taking off.
The National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary accident report that the pilot had made no distress calls and no declarations of an emergency. The airplane had reached 4,700 feet (1,430 meters) and was climbing quickly, the NTSB’s report stated. There was no response to calls from an air traffic controller, and radar contact was lost.
A final report from the NTSB has not been issued.
Case No. 22-CVS-446
Defendant Dillon’s Aviation is vicariously liable, by operation of law, for Mr. Rawls’ act or omissions in the following respects:
a. Mr. Rawls failed to fly the subject aircraft safely;
b. Mr. Rawls failed to maintain control over the subject aircraft;
c. Mr. Rawls improperly flew into IFR conditions;
d. Mr. Rawls failed to properly avoid restricted airspace, leading to an erratic and irregular flight path;
e. Mr. Rawls improperly relied on a co-pilot with inadequate training and experience to fly around the restrict airspace, and to fly in the weather conditions that were present on the day of the subject flight;
f. Mr. Rawls’ training of Jeffery Worthington Rawls during the subject flight diverted Mr. Rawls’s attention from flying the aircraft safely;
g. Mr. Rawls failed to maintain adequate communication with air traffic control;
h. Mr. Rawls failed to conduct a proper weight and balance evaluation prior to take off;
i. Mr. Rawls’ negligent piloting led to his subsequent spatial disorientation; and
j. Mr. Rawls failed to properly and safely operate the aircraft, resulting in a crash.
The families of four people — including three teens — who died in a February plane crash off the North Carolina coast are suing the companies that owned the plane and employed the pilot, who also died. The suit claims the pilot failed to properly fly the single-engine plane in weather conditions with limited visibility, making the firms liable.
All eight people aboard the Pilatus PC-12/47 died when it descended into the Atlantic Ocean off the Outer Banks. Four teenagers and two adults on the plane were returning from a hunting trip. The two others were the pilot and his adult son, who was a student pilot, the suit said.
The wrongful death suit was filed Tuesday in Carteret County against EDP Management Group LLC and Green Assets, both of Wilmington, and Dillon’s Aviation of Greenville.
The plane took off February 13 in the early afternoon from Hyde County Airport, which is on the mainland near the Pamlico Sound. The plane's destination was southwest across the sound to Beaufort, which is along the southern edge of the Outer Banks in Carteret County.
The suit alleges that pilot Ernest "Teen" Rawls failed to maintain control over the plane and improperly flew into weather conditions with limited visibility that required the use of instrumentation.
The suit also asserts that Rawls failed to maintain adequate communication with air traffic control and failed to avoid restricted military airspace, “leading to an erratic and irregular flight path.”
The suit alleges that Rawls improperly relied on a co-pilot with “inadequate training and experience” to fly around the restricted airspace and in those weather conditions. Rawls’ son, Jeffrey Rawls, reportedly, had 20 hours of flight experience, the suit stated.
The suit also claims that Rawls failed to conduct a proper weight and balance evaluation before taking off.
A person who answered the phone at a number for Green Assets said the company was declining comment. The website for Green Assets listed Hunter Parks, one of the people who died in the crash, as its founder and chairman. His family is not among those who sued.
Email and phone messages seeking comment from Dillon’s Aviation and EDP Management Group were not immediately returned.
In late February, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary accident report that the pilot had made no distress calls and no declarations of an emergency.
The airplane had reached 4,700 feet (1,430 meters) and was climbing quickly, the NTSB's report stated. There was no response to calls from an air traffic controller, and radar contact was lost.
A final report from the NTSB has not been issued.
Andrew Robb, a Kansas City-based aviation attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the four families, said by phone that the plane's lack of distress calls and climbing altitude were hallmarks of a pilot becoming spatially disoriented.
“If there was a problem with the mechanics or the electronics or something on that airplane that caused this 3,000-foot ascent, you would think that the pilot would have made some kind of communication,” Robb said.
The lawsuit was filed by the families of passengers Noah Styron, 15; Michael Shepherd, 15; Jacob Taylor, 16; and Stephanie Fulcher, 42.
Others who were onboard included Parks, 45, and Jonathan Kole McInnis, 15.
Rawls and his son lived in Greenville, authorities said in February. Fulcher, Parks and the four teens lived in Carteret County. The mostly rural county is home to older fishing villages as well as touristy areas that include Emerald Isle and Cape Lookout National Seashore.
The four teenagers went to East Carteret High School, which has about 600 students.
Charlie Snow, a close friend of the pilot, told The Associated Press in February that Rawls had previously flown for Snow’s company, Outer Banks Airlines, and was highly trained and extremely capable.
“If anybody could get out of something, if it was possible to get out of it, he could have done it,” Snow said.
Together, Ernest Durwood (Teen) Rawls and his son, Jeffrey Worthington Rawls left our world for a better place, to be with God. Teen & Jeffrey passed away on February 13, 2022 in an airplane accident off the coast of North Carolina.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 19th at 11:00 AM at Reimage Church in Greenville, NC. Prior to the celebration, a visitation will take place at the church, beginning at 10:00 AM.
Teen was born in Greenville, NC on August 6, 1954. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Wilmer Rawls and Pauline Worthington Rawls of Greenville, NC. He is survived by his wife, Karen Murray Rawls of Greenville, NC; daughter, Brittany Rawls Jones; son-in-law, Robert Blake Jones; granddaughter, Charlie Kay Frances Jones of Raleigh, NC; brother, Jeffrey Dwight Rawls; sister-in-law, Molly Grogan Rawls of Winston Salem, NC; and sister, Linda Rawls Leach of Kansas City, MO. He was greatly loved and respected by family and friends. His unwavering faith in God left a huge imprint on our hearts.
Jeffrey Worthington Rawls was born in Greenville, NC on July 6, 1993. He is survived by his mother, Karen Murray Rawls of Greenville; sister, Brittany Rawls Jones; brother-in-law, Robert Blake Jones; and niece, Charlie Kay Frances Jones of Raleigh, NC. Jeffrey was a much beloved son, brother and friend. A graduate of NC State University, he enjoyed, among many activities with his father; baseball, music and flying airplanes.
Teen and Jeffrey shared the love of God and a devotion to serving others. Most of all they shared a unique sense of humor, an infectious laugh and the endless desire to spread joy among us all.
In lieu of gifts and flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Reimage Church on their website, Reimage.ccbchurch.com, towards the Teen and Jeffrey Rawls Fund. All gifts will be used to sponsor causes they believed in and were near and dear to their hearts.
Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory.
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Greensboro, North Carolina
While Kole thrived in the great outdoors, he was also well versed in historical events concerning World War II. He was an expert on all types of tanks, planes, and weapons, and he loved antique rifles and pistols. He put this expertise to work as a self-proclaimed expert gamer often competing with other gamers from around the world, all hours of the night. His electronics fascination was not limited to video games. At such a young age, Kole was quite the expert at playing the stock market as well. When he did come up for air, he and his dad loved cooking steaks and twice baked potatoes, a recipe he was proud to share from his FOODS I course at East Carteret High School.
https://www.mundenfuneralhome.netHartzell Propellers; Piqua, Ohio
Transportation Safety Board of Canada; Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Pratt & Whitney Canada; Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada
Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board; Payerne, Switzerland
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd; Stans, Switzerland
Location: Beaufort, North Carolina
Accident Number: ERA22LA120
Date and Time: February 13, 2022, 14:02 Local
Registration: N79NX
Aircraft: PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD PC-12/47E
Injuries: 8 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On February 13, 2022, about 1402 eastern standard time, a Pilatus PC-12, N79NX, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Beaufort, North Carolina. The commercial pilot, student pilot, and 6 passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The airplane departed Pitt-Greenville Airport (PGV), Greenville, North Carolina, about 1235, and landed at Hyde County Airport (7W6), Engelhard, North Carolina, at 1255. Then, the airplane departed runway 29 from 7W6, about 1335.
After departure, the pilot contacted air traffic control, reported they were going to level off at 3,500 ft mean sea level (msl), and requested visual flight rules (VFR) flight following as well as an instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance into Michael J. Smith Field Airport (MRH), Beaufort, North Carolina. At 1338, the controller advised the pilot that nearby restricted airspace was active, and the pilot confirmed that they would remain clear of the airspace and fly to the east. At 1341, the controller called the pilot and indicated that they were about to enter the restricted airspace. After multiple calls with no response from the pilot, the controller instructed the military aircraft in the restricted airspace to remain above 4,000 ft msl. At 1349, the pilot called the controller and requested the RNAV approach to runway 26 but was denied the request because of the active restricted airspace. Furthermore, the controller queried the pilot as to why he did not respond to the earlier radio calls, and the pilot responded that he “was trying to get out” and was unable to receive the radio transmissions. The controller offered an approach to runway 8 or runway 3, and the pilot chose runway 8.
At 1352, the controller reported that the restricted airspace was not active anymore and asked if the pilot wanted the RNAV approach to runway 26 instead. The pilot responded that he would appreciate that, and the controller cleared the pilot direct to CIGOR, the initial approach fix for the RNAV 26 approach. At 1355, the controller called the airplane and asked to verify if they were direct to CIGOR because the airplane was still on a southwesterly heading. The pilot responded “roger” and the controller said the airplane could proceed direct to CIGOR, to cross the waypoint at or above 1,900 ft msl and was cleared for the runway 26 RNAV approach. The pilot read back the instructions correctly and then at 1358, the controller contacted the airplane and issued a heading to CIGOR, but then indicated the airplane was “correcting now.” At 1358:46, the controller called the pilot and issued the local altimeter setting because the airplane was at 1,700 ft msl and was supposed to maintain 1,900 ft msl. The pilot read back the altimeter setting correctly, and that was the last transmission from the airplane.
At 1401, the controller called the airplane and asked what altitude it was at because the airplane was at 4,700 ft msl and climbing quickly. There was no response. Radar contact was lost with the airplane at 1402 and an ALNOT was issued at 1429. Throughout the communication with air traffic control, there were no distress calls or a declaration of emergency from the airplane.
The airplane impacted the Atlantic Ocean and was located by the US Coast Guard 3 miles offshore in about 60 ft of water. Dive crews recovered an ELT and a Light Data Recorder (LDR). The LDR was sent to the NTSB Recorders Laboratory for data download.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the pilot seated in the left seat held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multiengine land, airplane single-engine land, and instrument airplane. In addition, he held a ground instructor certificate and held a mechanic certificate for airframe and powerplant. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued June 28, 2021. At that time, he reported 3,000 hours of flight experience.
According to FAA airman records, the passenger seated in the right seat held a student pilot certificate. His most recent third-class medical certificate was issued on July 6, 2021, and at that time he reported 20 hours of flight experience.
An examination of the wreckage is pending recovery.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD
Registration: N79NX
Model/Series: PC-12/47E
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: IMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MRH,8 ft msl
Observation Time: 13:58 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 19 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C /6°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 13 knots / 18 knots, 20°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 900 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Engelhard, NC (7W6)
Destination: Beaufort, NC (MRH)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 6 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: Unknown
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: Unknown
Total Injuries: 8 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 34.81355,-76.2871
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.
Ernest "Teen" Durwood Rawls
~
Jonathan "Kole" McInnis
May 1, 2006 ~ February 13, 2022 (age 15)
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One boy's short journey home from what most would call the hunting trip of a lifetime was one of many for Kole. Sadly, this ended in a horrific tragedy and an enormous loss that has rocked our State and the Down East community to the core. Although we are heartbroken beyond measure, this journey was only one of many of an incredible multitude of journeys that Kole took in his short life. It is these that will have a lasting effect on us as we move forward.
Jonathan “Kole” McInnis, 15, of Sea Level, passed away tragically alongside seven others including his mother, her long-time boyfriend, three of Kole’s lifelong friends and Kole’s favorite pilot “Mr. Teen” and son who were returning from a prosperous youth and veteran duck hunting weekend on February 13, 2022.
Kole was the most beautiful tow-head baby boy born, yes with a headful of cotton-white hair, on May 1, 2006, at Carteret General Hospital, to Jon Kyley McInnis and Stephanie Ann Fulcher. Kole was a sophomore at East Carteret High School and was a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). He was a member of Atlantic Missionary Baptist Church. After Kole placed his faith in Christ, he was baptized by his grandfather, Rev. Terry D. McInnis on February 2, 2020, at Woodville Baptist Church.
At the early age of 3 ½, Kole quickly learned his way around the controls in the cab of his father’s CAT-excavator loading dump trucks with dirt and debris from around their Sea Level property. Into his teens, Kole’s work ethic was further exhibited on many job sites with his father’s Carteret county-based tree service. Many of said trees made their way to his grandaddy’s workshop where alongside his daddy, at the sawmill, they began crafting 12’ pilings for their future home site in Beaufort to be constructed in 2022.
Work and no play was not Kole’s motto. Kole’s travels took him on a near worldwide tour with once in a lifetime experiences including extreme firearm training in Las Vegas, The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, competing in his first mud run and mining for gold in Alaska, manatees in Florida, swimming with dolphins in the Andros, Bahamas and most recently researching his heritage while visiting Scotland, Ireland, and France.
Alongside his mother, Stephanie and her boyfriend, Hunter Parks, Kole took his seat every duck season in a “tricked out” duck blind at Lake Mattamuskeet waiting for the perfect flock so that he could do as told and “shoot ‘em in the face”. During deer season, he was often found cruising around the farm at Green Hill in Hyde County in the well-known mini truck. His summers were salty and spent fishing the Newport River, on the Core Banks of NC and exploring the ICW out of Boca Raton, FL.
While Kole thrived in the great outdoors, he was also well versed in historical events concerning World War II. He was an expert on all types of tanks, planes, and weapons, and he loved antique rifles and pistols. He put this expertise to work as a self-proclaimed expert gamer often competing with other gamers from around the world, all hours of the night. His electronics fascination was not limited to video games. At such a young age, Kole was quite the expert at playing the stock market as well. When he did come up for air, he and his dad loved cooking steaks and twice baked potatoes, a recipe he was proud to share from his FOODS I course at East Carteret High School.
Although the aforementioned life experiences may not sound like it, Kole was a minimalist. Unlike many teens, he was not impressed with name brand clothing, shoes, or accessories. In fact, he wasn’t impressed with shoes at all. He was, however, impressed by his friends and his family. Kole loved big. He had a soft spot for the underdog. He was funny, appreciative, and kind. Our lives will never be the same here on earth without him, but rest assured he is having the time of his life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Until we meet again Kole…
Kole was preceded in death by his beloved cousin, Sarah James Fulcher.
He is survived by his father, Jon Kyley McInnis of Newport; paternal grandparents, Rev. Terry and Ronda McInnis of Newport; maternal grandparents, Harry Michael and Ann Fulcher of Atlantic; aunts and uncles, Buddy and Angie Goodwin of Cedar Island, Brian and Candy Moore of Newport, James and Brooke Fulcher of Beaufort; cousins, Riley Goodwin, Bodie Goodwin, Hunter Moore, Emma Grace Moore, Sawyer Fulcher, Sullivan Fulcher, Samuel Fulcher, Sailor Fulcher; and his beloved pets, Bullet the fierce feline, Jax his 150 lb. German Shepard, and his lap dogs, Christmas and Tubby.
A Celebration of Life Service for both Kole and Stephanie will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 13th, at the Fulcher Home at 772 Seashore Dr., Atlantic, North Carolina 28511. The family will receive friends following the service. A private interment will take place at Over the Brook Cemetery in Atlantic at a later date. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through their obituary pages on Munden Funeral Home’s website. The service will remain on the website for 90 days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Kole to the Carteret County School Foundation, C/O “Down East Boys Scholarship”, 107 Safrit Dr. Beaufort, North Carolina 28516.
Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, North Carolina.
Jacob "Jake" Nolan Taylor
December 21, 2005 ~ February 13, 2022 (age 16)
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Nothing could have ever prepared us for the tragedy that ensued on Sunday, February 13, 2022, a day that will forever be remembered as a devastating loss for the entire Down East community. Today and forever more we will mourn the loss of Jacob “Jake” Nolan Taylor, who unexpectedly lost his life alongside seven others who were returning from a youth and veteran duck hunting weekend. Jake spent his final days surrounded by his dearest lifelong friends, doing exactly what he loved.
Jake was born at Carteret General Hospital on December 21, 2005, to Billy Taylor and Andrea Guthrie. He was Life Scout of Boy Scout Troop 252 of Davis. Jake was a sophomore at East Carteret High School where he was a member of the soccer team and the FFA. He attended Atlantic Missionary Baptist Church and was baptized by Pastor Adam Self in 2020.
Jake was a young man with innumerable talents and endless ideas, whose soul was bursting with creativity from the moment he could talk. Jake had a passion and talent for just about every artistic medium you could think of. Whether he was inventing new comic book characters, making stop-motion animations, writing award-winning poetry, or learning to play the banjo, you could always trust that he would discover a new way to impress you. Jake was the king of competition and never shied away from a challenge. You could always find him playing cards with his Gammy and Pa, dominating at corn hole, or beating everyone in a board game he created.
Jake’s ambition and hard-working nature were evident to everyone who met him. No dream was ever too big for him to tackle. When he wasn’t Facetiming his best friends or exercising for soccer, Jake could be found working on his strategy for becoming a world-famous Youtuber, planning his dual animation studio and light-bulb company “Jake Industries,” or figuring out just how he could get his hands on a catamaran to sail to Florida. Jake’s happy place was the outdoors, no matter the time of year. In the summer, he loved basking in the sun, whether he be at the beach, by the pool, or mowing lawns with his aunt Bean. In the fall, he could be found in a deer blind, out in the woods with friends, or on Boy Scout camping trips with his dad.
Anyone who was lucky enough to meet Jake will tell you how struck they were by his unadulterated kindness. A million words could be written to describe just how genuine Jake was, but they could never come close to capturing how truly pure his heart was. Whether you met him for five minutes or knew him for fifteen years, he was sure to touch your life in a profound way. Jake was never afraid to tell you how much he loved you and would never let you forget how effortlessly funny he was.
He is survived by his mother and step-father, Andrea Guthrie and Gene Guthrie of Atlantic, as well as his father and step-mother, Billy Taylor and Judy Willis of Atlantic; his sisters, Avery Taylor and fiancĂ© Zane Weekman of Buies Creek, Robin Malcolm and Samantha Salter of Moncks Corner; his brothers, Dustin Taylor and wife Suzanne of Greenville, Bailey Willis of the home; maternal grandparents, Lennie and Andy Saunders of Atlantic; paternal grandmother, Susan Salter of Atlantic; aunts, Jennifer “Bean” Stinnett and husband Richie, and Jamie Taylor; and cousins, Jordan Stinnett, Shannon Baker, Gregory Taylor and wife Morgan.
Jake was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Everette Salter.
Our family would like to express our sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, and sympathy from the community as we navigate this extremely difficult time.
Jake’s funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Atlantic Missionary Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Adam Self, Pastor Nelson Koonce, and Mrs. Roxie Gardner. The family will receive friends after the service. The service will be live streamed at Atlantic Elementary School Auditorium and will also be available on Jake's obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jake's memory to Friends of Scouting, P.O. Box 822, Williston, NC 28589 or the Atlantic Missionary Baptist Church, P.O Box 194, Atlantic, North Carolina 28511.
Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, North Carolina.
Michael Daily Shepherd
August 10, 2006 ~ February 13, 2022 (age 15)
~
Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Michael “Daily” Shepherd. Sunday, February 13, 2022, is the day we were impacted with the tragic and unexpected loss for the Down East Community. Daily, along with seven others, including three lifelong friends, Noah Styron, Jake Taylor, and Kole McInnis, lost their lives as they returned from an amazing youth and veteran duck hunting weekend.
A celebration of Daily’s life will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Atlantic Missionary Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Nelson Koonce. The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. prior to the service. The service will be live streamed at Atlantic Elementary School Auditorium and will also be available on Daily’s obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. In honor of Daily, the family invites you to wear camo to show your support and love.
Michael, or Daily, as he was known to all, was born on August 10, 2006, in Morehead City, North Carolina to Mark Shepherd and Taryn Willis Shepherd. Daily was 15 years old and was a sophomore at East Carteret High School.
Daily loved being outdoors and would take every opportunity to be on the water fishing or out hunting. Riding four wheelers was always a fun time which he enjoyed with his friends. As like most teenagers, Daily could often be found hanging out with his friends. Daily had an incredible creative ability that he applied to making boats and to his artistry work. His talent was acknowledged with numerous 1st place awards for the Core Sound Decoy Festival Poster Contest for the Down East Schools.
Always wearing a smile, Daily brightened the room with his presence. He loved his family and friends who will forever cherish his memory.
He is survived by his mother, Taryn Willis Shepherd of Atlantic; father, Mark Shepherd of Sea Level; maternal grandfather, Michael Willis of Atlantic; paternal grandfather, Keith Mason of Sea Level; paternal great grandmother, Clara Mason of Stacy; maternal aunt, Patience Willis of Atlantic; maternal special aunt, Mary Ann Nichols of Beaufort; paternal aunt, Tammy Guthrie of Sea Level; paternal great aunt, Mary Sue Hancock and husband Woody of Sea Level; maternal uncle, Chris Goodwin of Cedar Island; paternal uncle, Buddy Guthrie and wife Susie of Williston; maternal cousin, Jackson Goodwin; paternal cousins, Luke Salter, Hope Wade, Maggie Guthrie, Ashlyn Guthrie, Tanner Wade and Parker Wade; girlfriend, Ariana Christensen; special friend, Tristen Hall; and furry friend, his dog, Amos.
Daily was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Amy Willis; paternal grandmother, Bonnie Mason; maternal great grandparents, Linda Goodwin and Frances Willis.
The family would like to thank the community for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.
As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center in c/o Core Sound Family Fund, P.O. Box 556, Harkers Island, North Carolina 28531.
Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, North Carolina.
Noah Lee Styron
May 28, 2006 ~ February 13, 2022 (age 15)
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Sunday, February 13, 2022, is a day that will forever be etched in our minds and hearts. On this day we experienced the tragic and unexpected loss of Noah Lee Styron; our son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, neighbor, classmate, and friend to all. In what will forever be known as a horrific tragedy for Down East, Noah lost his life with seven others, including three dear lifelong friends as they returned from an amazing youth and veteran duck hunting weekend. We are so very grateful that his last memories were with people he loved, doing what he loved.
Noah was born May 28, 2006. Noah was a sophomore at East Carteret High School. He was a member of the school’s chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA). He attended Cedar Island United Methodist Church.
He was a young man with many plans and projects, always dreaming of his next overhaul. His love for his family and friends was deep and genuine, as well as for anyone he ever met. Noah preferred a simple life, loving to fix just about anything over making a new purchase. He beat to his own tune, never stressing over trying to make an impression, yet walking through life making a lasting impression on all those he met on his brief yet powerful journey. He was a role model to anyone who was blessed to know him. He was admired for his brilliant mechanical abilities and his engineering skills which were skilled well beyond his years. There never seemed to be an undertaking or an order too tall for him to accomplish. For even at times, he could be found sewing up his favorite hunting coats with his sister’s help.
Noah was an experienced waterman with knowledge of the local waterways well beyond his years. His true passions were hunting, fishing, everything outdoors, fishing for anything with Granddaddy, being on the water with Zack Davis on the Addie Dallas, crabbing with his “Uncle As”, riding dirt bikes with his brothers, and of course being an avid sportsman. He was a skilled mullet fisherman, once catching over 100 lbs. by himself in his own little boat during his Uncle Johnny’s mullet tournament. He was a certified welder with the unique talent of fabricating just about anything. Such inventions included installing a tip muffler from a diesel truck onto his dirt bike and modifying several riding lawn mowers into high-speed racing machines and even using them for launching his boats.
He earned the ECHS Welding II award his freshman year. While attending Down East Middle School he also earned NC state recognition as an accomplished Young Author with his poem, Mullet Fishing. Noah was never at a loss of words, as evidenced by his many stretched out stories and “tales of a Down East boy.” During his years at Atlantic Elementary he earned the admiration of not only his teachers but his classmates who are forever faithfully intertwined with him.
He is survived by his parents, Charles and Amber Styron of the home; siblings, Carter, Sabrina, and Levi, all of the home; his Lab, Addy B; maternal grandparents, Cathie and Aron Styron Jr. of Cedar Island; paternal grandparents, Mary Styron of Cedar Island, Theresa and Andy Taylor of Sea Level; paternal great grandparents, Richard and Jo Ann Styron, Phyllis Gillikin; aunts, Amanda Styron, Melissa Gillikin, and Vada Styron; uncles, Aron Styron III (Faith Ann), Shane Styron (Jennifer), Richard C. Styron (Kelly), Joshua Austin, and Fred Styron. He is also survived by cousins, Juliana Inman, Ilyse Vogel, Anderson Styron, Daylen Piner, Darren Piner, Adam Styron, Chassidy Styron, Lilyanna Styron, Emily Davis, Richard C. Styron Jr, Drake Styron, and Skylar Styron. He also is survived by his built-in “big brother” Bodie Finn Goodwin, as well as many extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by paternal grandfather, Richard A. Styron, Jr. and great uncle Johnny Styron.
Noah’s funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, February 20th at Cedar Island United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Nelson Koonce. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday, February 19th at Cedar Island United Methodist Church. The service will be live streamed at Atlantic Elementary School Auditorium and will also be available on Noah’s obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. A private interment will take place at a later date at the Ronald and Becky Goodwin Memorial Family Cemetery.
As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center in c/o Core Sound Family Fund, P.O. Box 556, Harkers Island, North Carolina 28531.
Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, North Carolina.
Stephanie Anne Fulcher
February 4, 1980 ~ February 13, 2022 (age 42)
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It is with overwhelming sadness that we announce the passing of Stephanie Anne Fulcher on February 13, 2022, at the age of 42. She went to her heavenly home along with her precious son Kole, her soulmate Hunter, Pilot Teen, his son Jeffrey, and 3 boys she loved like her own Noah, Jake and Daily.
Steph was born on February 4, 1980, to Mike and Anne Fulcher. The last of 3 children, she was the baby and brought so much joy to their lives. After getting her BSN RN from UNCW Stephanie started her career at Carteret Health Care. When the opportunity came for her to join her sister at work at Carteret Children's Clinic, she did not hesitate to make the change. Steph loved working with her sister and loved taking care of children. She was known to answer calls and make house calls for friends, families and even strangers.
Steph’s life changed forever when she and Kyley welcomed the most beautiful white-haired boy into this world on May 1, 2006. Jonathan Kole showed her what true love really was. Her whole world was centered around Kole, supporting, and encouraging him in everything he did. She loved playing ball with Kole in the yard, throwing him birthday parties, having sleepovers, trips to Battleworks, listening to his extraordinary knowledge of war and old guns and just watching him grow. She loved being able to take Kole on trips and show him the world, especially their recent trip to Scotland. She would look at Kole all the time and say, “He sure is pretty to me.”
Many thought Steph would never leave Down East, much less the Country. But all that changed when she met her soulmate Hunter Parks. For the past 11 years Steph and Hunter traveled the world including Africa, Spain, Poland, Germany, Amsterdam, France, England, Scotland, and many other beautiful places. They were truly a match made in Heaven. Through all her travels, her favorite place was always Home. She loved sitting on her back porch swing listening to music, riding the farm on the ATV, shelling the banks with her friends, boat riding, fishing, puzzles, board games, baking, reading, and watching “Her Ducks.” She was an avid hunter and spent a lot of her time in the deer stand or the duck blind. She loved sharing her love of the outdoors with her friends and family. She was always smiling.
In 2018, Stephanie and Hunter created Another Perspective and started the Sarah James Redfish Tournament to honor her niece, Sarah James Fulcher. It succeeded far beyond their expectations, Steph was so proud of what they had done to honor her precious niece.
Stephanie’s caring spirit and generous heart could be felt by everyone she met. She inspired others around her to succeed and pursue their dreams. Steph’s life would seem short to many but those blessed to know her and love her, know her impact on our hearts and her impact on this world far exceed the quantity of time that she lived on this Earth. She will live on forever in our hearts.
Stephanie is survived by her parents, Harry Michael and Anne Fulcher; brother, James Fulcher (Brooke); sister, Angie Goodwin (Buddy); nieces, Riley Goodwin (Cameron Whitlow), Saylor Fulcher, and Emma Moore; nephews, Bodie Goodwin, Sawyer, Sullivan and Samuel Fulcher, Hunter Moore; and best friend, Bean.
Along with her son, Kole, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harry and Lucille Fulcher, Carl and Bobbie Pollard; and niece, Sarah James Fulcher.
A Celebration of Life Service for both Stephanie and Kole will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 13th, at the Fulcher Home at 772 Seashore Dr., Atlantic, NC 28511. The family will receive friends following the service. A private interment will take place at Over the Brook Cemetery in Atlantic. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through their obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Stephanie’s memory to Another Perspective PO Box 10415 Wilmington, North Carolina 28404.
Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, North Carolina.
Douglas Hunter Parks
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They’ll come this day to remember.
But more to celebrate the life and times of Douglas Hunter Parks, the 45-year-old entrepreneur, passionate conservationist, wildlife enthusiast and born-again Christian.
“At the end of duck season, you got an extra week for kids and military veterans,” Greg Parks was saying about his nephew. “That was the hunt they were on and coming back from on that Sunday.”
Hunter Parks was among seven passengers aboard the Pilatus PC-12/47 aircraft owned by Parks that left Hyde County on Feb. 13 headed toward Beaufort, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The plane crashed within three or four miles of Drum Inlet in Carteret County.
Parks’ longtime girlfriend, Stephanie Ann McInnis Fulcher, 42, and her 15-year-old son Jonathan Kole McInnis, both of Sea Level, also died in the crash, according to the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office.
The others who died were Ernest Durwood Rawls, 67, the pilot; Jeffrey Worthington Rawls, 28, the pilot’s son; Noah Lee Styron, 15; Michael Daily Shepard, 15; and Jacob Nolan Taylor, 16, the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office said.
A friend you could count on
Hunter Parks was a vivacious kid who grew up in the Summertime neighborhood off Morganton Road hanging out with friends to include Leighton Bostic, Jim Soffe, Richard Fox, Jason Stancil, Neil Davis and Brian Armstrong.
They were your typical kids riding their bicycles, skateboarding and shooting their BB guns and “occasionally, we got into some trouble,” Armstrong recalls. Nothing serious, mind you. Just boys being boys and developing friendships along life’s way.
“Hunter was the friend I could call on if I ever needed help, and without fail, he would show up,” Armstrong says. “And believe me, I called on him several times over the years, and he was there. Hunter was there for all of his close friends. And we, his friends, were there for him as well. Hunter was loyal almost to a fault, but he expected the same in return.”
And, Armstrong will tell you, Hunter Parks was a man of his word.
“When he told you he would do something or be somewhere,” Armstrong says, “you better believe he would follow through, and then some.”
Hunter Parks would gain new friends at N.C. State University in the mid-1990s, particularly with fraternity brothers of Sigma Chi.
He was smart.
He had visions of better tomorrows.
He wasn’t afraid of the risk for the greater reward or the greater good.
“He charted his own course,” Armstrong says, “and was dedicated, persistent and determined in whatever venture he undertook.”
And no businesses were more important to him than Mattamuskeet Ventures, of which he was a partner on family-owned land, and Green Assets, the Wilmington-based company that Parks founded for forest carbon production credit transfers.
A love of the land
He loved the land, something he inherited from his grandfather, the late Jack Parks, and his father, Chip Parks, who died at age 62 on Oct. 17, 2005. And Hunter Parks loved sharing his passion for hunting and the outdoors with others.
“It's my understanding that there are a few weekends each hunting season that are designated as ‘Youth Weekends,’” Armstrong says. “During these weekends, Hunter would host kids and their parents at his hunting club in Hyde County and would guide their hunts. Most of the time he did not even fire a shot or even carry his shotgun, as the part he loved most was watching the smile on the kids’ faces after they bagged their first-ever duck.”
And Hunter Parks found the perfect complement to his life more than 10 years ago in Stephanie Fulcher.
“She was truly one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” Armstrong says. “She was a perfect match for Hunter, and we often joked that she was the female version of Hunter. He absolutely adored her and during the time they were together was the happiest I’d ever seen Hunter. He was at his best while they were together. Kole was just an all-around good kid. Hunter immediately took to him and they had an incredible bond. Kole had a big, bright future ahead of him.”
Epilogue
Will Graham will deliver the eulogy for the celebration of Hunter Parks’ life scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. today at the Carolina Barn, 7765 McCormick Bridge Road, in Spring Lake. He is the oldest son of Franklin Graham and grandson of the late evangelist Billy Graham.
Will Graham knew Hunter Parks well, and no better than that Nov. 17, 2017, day at a small church in Fairfield near Lake Mattamuskeet in Hyde County.
“Hunter was saved by Will Graham on Nov. 17, 2017,” Toliver Parks says about the hour when his brother rededicated his life to “his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
No need for neck-ties this day.
Come in your blue jeans, your khakis, your boots.
“Hunter Parks-type attire,” Toliver Parks says with a smile.
Hunter Parks would have it no other way.
Ernest Durwood Rawls