NEWS

This simple, poignant wreath hangs on Archer’s front door.

Clifford Archer left his mark on Davidson. He passed away on March 4 and was laid to rest on March 9. On Tuesday evening the Town Board recognized Mr. Archer and his family business with the following:

PROCLAMATION

Honoring Clifford McNeer Archer and Archer’s Wrecker Service

WHEREAS, the late Clifford McNeer Archer was born in 1921 and attended Davidson High School. He and his family owned and plowed fields of cotton in Southern Iredell County near Davidson. In the winter, he split firewood to sell to Davidson residents and Davidson College; and

WHEREAS, after serving as a Class “A” Welder at the Bethlehem Shipyard in Baltimore during World War II, Cliff returned home and in 1949 opened his first service station on Main Street in Davidson. In July 1955, Cliff purchased his first wrecker truck; and

WHEREAS, for the last 70 years Archer’s Wrecker Service has been a fixture in Davidson and one of the longest family owned and operated merchants on Main Street. While Cliff had retired, his son Frankie followed in his father’s footsteps; and

WHEREAS, Cliff Archer and Archer’s Wrecker Service epitomize service with dedication, integrity, and sincerity – never overcharging for towing, and in many cases not charging at all when they knew that the customer could not afford to pay. In recent years, there have been countless times when Archer’s “pay it forward” business model has been highlighted, always there to help when people are in need; and

WHEREAS, Cliff Archer passed away on March 4th surrounded by his family. His wife of 61 years, Geneva Christie Archer, preceded him in death. He is survived by his children Frankie and Vicky and their extended families.

NOW THEREFORE, I Mayor Rusty Knox, and the Town of Davidson Board of Commissioners recognize Clifford McNeer Archer as a longtime Davidson business owner and for his years of service to the community.”

Proclaimed this 12th day of March 2019.”

Paul Lowery accepted the proclamation from Mayor Knox. Lowery, who works at Archer’s, previously served as a Davidson Police Officer.

In 1955, Cliff Archer purchased his first wrecker – a 1947 Chevrolet with a Holmes wrecker rig. Today, this big red International truck is just one of the wrecker’s at Archer’s.

The trucks were idle last Saturday, as friends and family members attended Clifford Archer’s funeral.