The late Ferdinand J. “Sonny” Faison Jr. was recently inducted into the North Carolina Poultry Federation Hall of Fame. His wife, Dorthy, accepted the 2012 honor during an event in December. NCPF president Scott Prestage made the presentation on behalf of the federation.
Faison was born in Sampson County, son of the late Nellie Peterson and Ferdinand Johnson Faison Sr., and graduated from Clinton High School.
He attended Wake Forest College and said that he never went back after graduation because he did not pay for his cap and gown. The only time he took the family back to Wake Forest was to visit Shorty’s Grill and Pool Room — where he claimed he spent most of his time and money while at Wake. He later served two years in Germany with the US Army.
In 1962, Sonny married Dorothy Sue Starling. They had three sons — Jay, Plato, and Henry.
In 1974 Faison joined Carroll’s Foods, and became president in 1983, holding that position until he retired in 2000. Faison was very proud of the success of Carroll’s Foods and the growth of the poultry and swine industries in North Carolina. He enjoyed his co-workers and loved getting up every day and going into the office. In over 25 years with Carroll’s Foods, he never missed a day of work. He was very grateful to the Matthews family for giving him the opportunity to lead the company that Otis Carroll founded.
He loved all types of sporting events — from Wolfpack football and basketball, to Super Bowls, to the Kentucky Derby. Friends and family recall how much he enjoyed talking and telling funny stories and loved the destination of the beach.
Faison, who died in 2006, is survived by his widow Dorothy and three sons.
Based in Raleigh, the NC Poultry Federation has been the voice of the North Carolina poultry industry since 1968. Serving producers and processors of chicken, turkey, and egg products, the NCPF provides a united voice for the industry with government, media and the public.
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