Remembering Elmer Reuben Midgett, Jr.

It is with great sadness that the Outer Banks Community Foundation honors the passing of Elmer Reuben Midgett, Jr.. A respected civic and business leader, Elmer devoted his life to serving the Outer Banks community. We recognize with deep gratitude his enduring contributions and the lasting impact he made on the people and place he loved.

Elmer Reuben Midgett, Jr., 82, of Manteo, passed away on March 29, 2026. Elmer was born in Manteo on June 17, 1943 to Elmer Reuben Midgett, Sr. and Elizabeth Hasty Midgett.

Elmer graduated from Manteo High School in 1962 and from Methodist College in 1967. He enlisted in the Marine Corps immediately after graduating from college and attended OCS in Quantico before going to Vietnam. While in Vietnam he rose to the rank of Captain.

After returning from Vietnam, Elmer began working for Nationwide Insurance and was hired as an agent and returned to Manteo where he remained the primary agent for 34 years.

Elmer was a member of the Manteo Masonic Lodge and the Dare County Shrine Club. He served on the the Roanoke Island Commission and the North Carolina Insurance Underwriters Association Board. Elmer was also a member of the Dare County Planning Board. Elmer joined the planning board when it began in 1975, became chairman in 1982 and continued to serve until 2016. It was for his work on the planning board that he was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Pat McCrory in 2016.

Elmer loved reading, learning, fishing, cooking and telling people what to do.

Elmer is survived by his wife of 58 years, Gail Taft Midgett, his daughters, Whitney Tine and her husband Paul and Leigh Ann Jackson and her husband Jayme. Elmer had three grandsons of which he was immensely proud, Jack Tine, Alex Tine and Oliver Jackson. Elmer is also survived by his sister, Ann Perry and her husband Rodney and their children Alison Perry and Mark Perry. He is also survived by his beloved orange cat, Mister Matlock.

A graveside service will be held for Elmer at 2:00 on Friday, April 3rd at the Manteo Cemetery with Rodney Perry officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be sent to the Outer Banks Community Foundation, PO Box 2299, Manteo, NC 27954

Follow this link to make a gift in memory of Elmer Reuben Midgett, Jr.