Aaron H. Efird, 68, left charter business for family textile firm – Coastal Observer
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Aaron H. Efird, 68, left charter business for family textile firm

April 3, 2022

Aaron Hardwick Efird of DeBordieu, who ran a charter boat business before becoming a manager of his family’s textile company, died Sunday. He was 68.

He was born Jan. 12, 1954, in Charlotte, the son of Catharine “Kitty” Hardwick Efird Johnston and Hugh Martin Efird. Aaron described himself as being a “terror” of the Myers Park neighborhood, throwing water balloons at cars on Providence Road from tree houses. 

He attended Charlotte Country Day School and the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va. He was captain of the wrestling team and was defeated only once during his high school career. He also played football, and rumor had it he once tackled an opponent so hard that he split the football. 

He received a wrestling scholarship to the College of William & Mary, but declined the offer rather than shave his highly coveted beard. He earned a bachelor’s degree in geology and a minor in art history from William & Mary, then moved to Polkton, N.C., to work for his father at Polkton Manufacturing Co., a textile firm.

Since 1962, he had spent all of his summers at Litchfield Beach, and in 1978 Mr. Efird moved there to realize his dream. He  started a scuba diving and fishing charter business called Waterproof Charters / Submariner Inc. with his best friend, Alex Salley. He channeled his love of wrestling and football into diving, deep-sea fishing, swimming and surfing. 

It was there he met his future wife,  Lenora Ann “Len” Carson. They were married on Sept. 8, 1979, at the Church of the Nativity in Union. 

In 1987, the family business needed Mr. Efird at the helm. He returned to Charlotte and eventually became vice president of sales at Polkton Manufacturing. At one time, he managed three cutting and sewing plants from North Carolina to Oklahoma, supplying the Navy’s work wear uniforms worldwide. He cared deeply for the hundreds of people who worked with him to make Polkton Manufacturing a success. 

He retired after a 32-year career at Polkton Manufacturing and settled in DeBordieu.

Mr. Efird was remembered as a passionate man, full of life and appreciation for nature and the ocean. He was so happy to continue deep sea fishing and boating on a daily basis into retirement. He did many good deeds for others and wanted no recognition for them. He loved his family above all else and worked hard to provide a wonderful life for them as a hands-on dad.

In addition to his wife of 42 years, he is survived by his daughters, Catharine Carson Efird (Joseph Ross Westerlund) of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Bonnie Elizabeth Efird (Jonathan James Cooke) of Santa Monica, Calif.; his sister, Ellen Efird Gould of Spartanburg; his brother, Hugh Martin Efird Jr. of Aiken; his nieces, Katie Gould Butler, Lauren Gould Ward (Bestor), Elizabeth Gould and Carrie Gould; his brothers-in-law, Trey Carson (Anita Carson) of Alexandria, Va., Ty Carson (Nancy Carson) of Lewisville, N.C., and Kit Shelton (Chad Shelton) of West Columbia; his nephews, Forthe Carson (Megan), Ryne Carson, Chase Shelton; and his nieces, Caroline Shelton and Lindy Goodnow (Will). 

A memorial service will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Prince George Winyah Church with a reception to follow in the parish hall. 

Memorials may be made to Prince George Winyah Church, the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the Surfrider Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Condolences may be sent at ridgewayfh.com.

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