Salem Funerals & Cremations, 120 S. Main, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

120 South Main Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
336.722.6122
Fax: 336.722.6922

John Grimes Medlin, Jr.

John G. Medlin, Jr. died Thursday, June 7, 2012, at Grandfather Mountain, N.C., of a heart attack while playing tennis. He was 78. Mr. Medlin was born in Elevation, N.C., on November 23, 1933.The son of John Grimes Medlin and Mabel Stephenson Medlin, he grew up in Benson, N.C., and graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1956. From 1956-1959, he was an officer in the U.S. Navy. In 1959, Mr. Medlin joined Wachovia Bank and Trust Company where he rose through various managerial positions until his election as President and Chief Operating Officer in 1974. He was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of Wachovia Corporation and the bank effective January 1, 1977 until he stepped down as CEO in 1993. Mr. Medlin continued to serve on the Wachovia board until 1998. In 1991 and 1992, he received the American Banker Award as the most admired CEO in banking as well as the American Banker Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. He was selected by Financial World in 1990 as the Chief Executive of the Decade of the Eighties for Southern Banks and the best Chief Executive in the nation in 1993. He served on the boards of directors of Bell South Corporation, Burlington Industries, Inc., Carolina Power & Light Company, Hanes Corporation, Media General, Inc., RJR Nabisco Holdings Corporation, National Service Industries, Inc., Norfolk Southern Corporation, Piedmont Airlines, Inc., Summit Communications, and US Airways Group, Inc. Mr. Medlin also served twice as Chair of the Board of Wake Forest University and on the boards of Davidson College, Duke Endowment, the Kenan Institute for Ethics, the National Humanities Center, the National Urban League, the Research Triangle Foundation, Salem Academy and College, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and many other nonprofits. He served as Chairman of the Future of Justice and the Courts in North Carolina and as President of the Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve System and the Association of Reserve City Bankers.
Mr. Medlin is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pauline Sims Medlin, his daughters Elizabeth Medlin Hale (Sheffield) of Atlanta and Ridgely Medlin Phillips (John) of Charlotte, by a granddaughter Pauline Winston Phillips and grandsons John Merrill Phillips, Jr., Sheffield Medlin Hale, Thomas Harrold Hale and John Bradley Hale. He also is survived by his sister Patsy Blackman and brothers Jerry and Tracy Medlin. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 11 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Winston- Salem, N.C. The family will receive guests at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to a charity of your choice.

General Information
Name	John Grimes Medlin, Jr.
Born	Nov 23, 1933
Died	Jun 07, 2012
Place	Grandfather Mountain, NC

Visitation Information
Location	Colhoun Room at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, following service
Address	520 Summit St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
When	Mon, Jun 11, 2012

Service Information
Location	St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Address	520 Summit St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
When	Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.

Condolences
Bob Black, Richmond, VA	Just heard today the sad news about John's untimely death. He was a great friend and one of the finest people that I have ever known. I shall miss him greatly. My thoughts will often be with you and the other members of your family, Polly, over the tough days ahead.
Kathy Mitchell (Wachovia/Wells Fargo)	My thoughts and prayers are with your family. It was such an honor to be part of the Wachovia family under Mr. Medlin's leadership. He is a true role model for all of us. Those of us here in W-S really appreciate all he has done for us over the years. He will definitely be missed. It was always a pleasure to see him in the hallways. What a true gentleman.
Lawrence Baxter	I learned more about honorable banking from John Medlin than anyone else. His wisdom and real leadership will be sorely missed in an industry that has been sadly short of such elements of late. My condolences to the Medlin family, whose consolation will be the proud memory, not only of a most exceptional individual but also of one of the finest bankers and gentlemen that America has ever had.
Robert (Bob) Chiles	The Chiles Family was sadden by the passing of John Medlin, a man whose integity and character was revered in every aspect of life. He was a supporter and developer of my banking career starting at Wachovia in 1969. I am just one of thousands of men and women that benefitted from John's gentle guidance and counsel as we prepared to learn,develop and grow as professional bankers at Wachovia and business leaders throughout the world. It was he that I called on for guidance throughout my 25 year career in the banking industry. My family joins me in an expression of sympathy to the Medlin Family and thank you for allowing John to be a part of ours. May God continue to bless each of you with strength and courage in the days and years to come. Bob Chiles
Thom Tillis	I had several opportunities to spend time with John over the past year most recently last month when we spent a couple of hours together at lunch. He was an extraordinary businessman and, at age 78 he was still very active in improving North Carolina. In my last meeting with John he gave me a packet he prepared outlining his thoughts on tax reform and other areas where we could improve North Carolina’s economy. His proposals were well thought out ideas that came from someone with deep insights into business and finance. John was an extraordinary man. I will miss the opportunity to get to know him better and to learn from him. Sincerely, Thom Tillis Speaker of the North Carolina House
Martin Zorn	John was not only a great CEO and leader but a role model for all of us that had the privilege to work for him. John taught us to be strong but humble, act in the best interest of the customer, follow the mantra of soundness, profitability and growth in that order and built the best bank that America has ever known. Many of us will always remember having lunch with John in the Carolina Room, his accessibility, his warmth and the strong moral compass that he provided for all us. John will be missed by all and left a legacy that will be long remembered. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Veronica C. Black	I remember Mr. Medlin as a President and CEO who had heart. His concern was for every "Wachovian" (his inhouse written communications always greeted us as "My Fellow Wachovians"). I will always remember as Human Resouses Officer for the Operations Division, at Christmas Mr. Medlin always came around to shake everyone's hand and wish them a Merry Chrismas. He did not want to leave out the employees who worked second and third shifts in the Data Processing and Computer departments. For about ten years I met him at 9:00pm to greet second shift employees and again at 1:ooam to greet third shift employees, and yes, we ate green beans, chicken, and red velvet cake on both shifts. I loved and respected him as a human being and as an executive who really cared for the company and employees.
Jerry Ayers	For much of my career, Mr. Medlin was the leader of our respected and successful bank and made me proud to be a Wachovian. And although he was the CEO and Chairman, he always was "one of us". Rest in peace John Medlin, and may your family be comforted in this time of their loss.
Pam Roberts Robbins	It was an honor to have worked at Wachovia under John's leadership. Praying for the Medlin family. Respectfully, Pam Roberts Robbins, Mount Airy, NC
Rick Stegall	It was 1978, on the sixth floor of the Phillips Building around 9PM, when I had my first interaction with John Medlin. As a Data Processing Coordinator, my workstation was located just inside the main entrance to the Computer Room which allowed me to see anyone who approached our secured area. This particular evening, as I walked toward my desk with urgency to phone a programmer about a computer application problem, I noticed someone peering through the glass security door. As I got closer, and to my amazement, it became clear that this person was the recently appointed head of Wachovia Bank, my employer for the past two years. My first thought was, what the heck is John Medlin doing here? Then, after collecting myself I nervously asked could I help you. His reply was shocking to me at the time but made perfect sense as I observed him over the years, and was simply, I knew that you guys here on the night shift were working hard getting today's business processed and just wanted to come by and say hello. At that, I signed him in, issued him a visitors pass, and we began talking about what my job consisted of, how long I had been at the bank, and even my family life and hobbies. As we sat and talked, enjoying our favorite smokes, a Winston for me and Salem for him, I thought of how real this person was while not knowing at the time the profound impact this man would have on me, the banking industry, the Wachovia Bank family, and the many other people he would come in contact with during his lifetime. My sincere condolences to the family, rest in peace John G. Medlin, Jr.
William B. McWilliams	What an honor and a privilege it is to have known and worked with John. Simply stated: "John Medlin was good as it gets, both as a person and as a banker"! Respectfully, Bill McWilliams Raleigh, NC
Harvey Huffman	John Medlin was a man of highest integrity, supreme intelligence, and a gracious and humble heart. He inspired those around him to be their best. John answered his own phone, established the “Sundown Rule” and respected everyone. We who knew him were truly blessed. John was a preeminent example of: “What Constitutes Success” (Bessie Stanley 1905) "He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction. With highest respect, Harvey Huffman Winston-Salem

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120 South Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 722-6122 Fax (336) 722-6922
2599 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 (336) 722-8878
We are not affiliated with Dignity memorial providers or Vogler and Son's Funeral Home located at Reynolda, Clemmons, and Forsyth Memorial Park