Keith Crisco

John Keith Crisco, 71, passed away at his home in Asheboro, North Carolina, on Monday, May 12, 2014. Born in 1943, Keith is the son of the late Lula Hartsell and John Truett Crisco of Aquadale, North Carolina. Keith received his Bachelor of Science degree from Pfeiffer University where he was president of his class, 1964, and his Master's Degree in Business Administration from Harvard University in 1968. Keith's distinguished professional career began as Assistant to the Executive Vice–President of Burlington Industries. In that time, Keith was chosen to serve as a White House Fellow in the Nixon Presidential Administration. He returned to his home state of North Carolina, serving as President of Stedman Elastics and later as founding partner of Asheboro Elastics Corporation in 1986. Keith embodied the mission statement of his beloved Pfeiffer University, always striving to be a servant leader in his community. Keith has served on both the Asheboro City Board of Education and Asheboro City Council. As the Secretary of Commerce appointed by Governor Beverly Perdue, Keith led the North Carolina Department of Commerce from 2009 to 2013. In 2012, and most recently he ran for the Democratic nomination for North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District. Two of his proudest honors were The Order of Long Leaf Pine in 2012 and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Pfeiffer University in 2009. Keith served as a Trustee for several institutions of higher learning including as a Pfeiffer University Trustee for 30 years and formerly as Trustee at both Randolph Community College and Bennett College. Keith is a former Chairman of the North Carolina Center for Public Policy and Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. He dedicated time to many textile and manufacturing organizations including the American Apparel and Footwear Association, TC2, and AAPN. Keith has been an active member of First United Methodist Church for more than 35 years. In addition to all of his accomplishments, his dedication and pride in his family will always be cherished. Keith is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jane Sidbury Crisco; son, John Keith Crisco, Jr. and wife, Bramley; their children, Katie, Truett and Henry; son, Jeffrey Charles Crisco and wife, Donna, children, Kenyon and Grant Davidson; daughter, Julia Crisco Del Grande and husband, Gifford, their children, Holly, Hayden and Andrew. Keith is also survived by two siblings: brother, Philip Crisco, and brother, Mark Crisco and wife, Kathy, as well as, a large extended, loving family. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 16, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, Asheboro, North Carolina, at 2:00 p.m. with Reverends Mike Holder and George Roberson officiating. Burial will be at New Hope Memorial Gardens, Asheboro, North Carolina. The family will greet friends on Thursday May 15, 2014, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Pugh Funeral Home, Asheboro, North Carolina. Memorials may be made to: First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 224 North Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, North Carolina, 27203; or Pfeiffer University, Post Office Box 960, Misenheimer, North Carolina, 28109; or North Carolina Zoo Society, 4403 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, North Carolina 27205.