Archie Gupton

Archie Gupton was born on October 4, 1947, in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Martha and J. F. Gupton, the third of four children. He had a difficult arrival into the world, as he was born with a cleft lip and collapsed lung, yet he received a lot of extra love as a result. His love of wheels was evident at a young age, as he learned how to roller skate at 2 1/2 years old, which made the local paper. As he grew, he developed a love for art and making things, reflecting his deep connection to nature and to God.

Archie was a member of one of the first graduating classes of Enloe High School (class of 1965), where he was the manager of the basketball team and enjoyed shop class. For college he joined the N.C. State Wolfpack and received a degree in Architecture from the School of Design.

In 1968, he married his high school sweetheart, Urbanna Cromartie. They began their life together in Charleston, South Carolina. He designed and built their home, 1 Pirates Cruz, in Mount Pleasant, a contemporary building that he was proud of.  In 1975, he and Urbanna welcomed a daughter, Caroline; and in 1978, a son, Jonathan. In 1979, they moved back to Raleigh to be closer to family. Archie worked for several architecture firms. During this time he joined the First Presbyterian Church Softball Team (and the church as well). His role as #8, the catcher, brought him much joy over his nearly thirty-year softball career.

As Caroline and Jonathan grew, Archie enjoyed participating with them in the YMCA’s Indian Guides and Princesses program. He enjoyed family summer vacations to Atlantic Beach and Topsail Island, where he loved building elaborate sandcastles. He took an outsized pleasure in Christmas pageants, from recording his kids’ preschool pageants on a cassette recorder to setting up the stage for his church’s annual pageant. He loved listening to music, especially Arlo Guthrie (“Alice’s Restaurant”), Jim Croce, the Beach Boys, and Antonio Vivaldi. Caroline remembers enjoying the N.C. State Fair with her dad, where he rode all the rides, including the Enterprise. Jonathan remembers enjoying playing HORSE with his dad on their backyard basketball hoop.

Professionally during these years, he worked as a Construction Manager for Wake County and Cumberland County Schools, where he oversaw the construction of many new schools. He felt right at home wearing his hard hat while exploring construction sites. He was also a proud member of the American Institute of Architects, NC chapter; and he enjoyed mentoring design students and new architects. The pinnacle of his professional career was as a committee member of the Long-Range Planning Committee of First Presbyterian Church of Raleigh, where he helped oversee a major renovation and reenvisioning of the church’s physical plant, including the sanctuary.

Archie enjoyed exploring the world. He went to Italy to visit Caroline, where he admired the architecture of Venice and Florence (along with the gelato). He also enjoyed trips to Alaska, various National Parks, and a European river cruise. He loved biking with the Selma Cyclepaths. Though his training was sporadic, his enthusiasm and skills at recruitment to the team were strong. He also honed his skills as a craftsman in his retirement: he tried making pottery (with very modest success), made dozens of Christmons (beaded Christmas ornaments), and made wooden bowls on the lathe.

Archie’s best chapter was yet to come. As Caroline married Steve and Jonathan married Tatiana, Archie became a grandfather to Sophia, William, Sofia, and Antonio. “Nonno,” as his grandchildren called him, was known for his enthusiasm, desire to play, and unconditional love. His grandchildren enjoyed craft sessions over FaceTime, building with legos, playing the baseball pinball game, building towers of Keva planks, making things with him (wooden barn, fire house, doll house, wooden box, sandcastles), watching basketball and baseball, and reading books (preferably with a lot of pictures). He was always game for eating ice cream and banana pudding.

In the last chapter of his life, Archie had vascular dementia. Despite his decline, his sense of humor and love for others remained to the end. Although he lost his grasp of words, his eyes and demeanor conveyed his love.

Archie will be remembered for his independence, his creativity, his organization, his appreciation for good design, his deep faith in God, and his abiding love for others. His favorite phrases (“no,” “money is a tool,” “I’m proud of you,” and “I love you”) will continue to echo in our ears. And his love will live on in our hearts. Archie’s family is grateful to God for his life, and is thankful that he has returned home.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection for Archie Gupton will be held on Saturday, September 26, at 11 am, at First Presbyterian Church of Raleigh (112 S. Salisbury St.). In lieu of flowers, you are invited to give to the First Presbyterian Church’s Friendship Fund.