Friends, colleagues remember Jeff Archer

Jeff Archer was many things: a father, a husband, owner of First Flight Bicycles, an advocate for downtown Statesville.

But mainly, those who knew him remember Archer as a man who dedicated himself to making the community a better place.

Archer was killed Wednesday evening as he walked across Williamson Road in Mooresville. He was headed to a classic car show when an intoxicated driver struck him, according to the Mooresville Police Department.

Claydon Laural Turner, 30, of Hickory, was charged with DWI and felony death by motor vehicle, according to Mooresville Police Department spokesperson Kim Sellers.

Turner's bond was set at $125,000.

REMEMBERING A FRIEND

The doors were open at First Flight Bicycles on Thursday, though many of the visitors came through to pay their respects to Archer. 

At the back of the store, a table was set up for visitors to record their memories. Bouquets of multi-colored flowers sat on the table next to a pen and notebook.

Wes Davidson, the store’s manager, talked about the impact Archer had on his life.

Davidson was 16 when he first met Archer, he said. Davidson was hoping to find a job, and since the holidays were right around the corner, “he took a chance on me,” Davidson said.

Over the years Archer would “give me fatherly advice, brotherly advice and friendly advice … he filled a lot of shoes for me,” Davidson said.

A LIFELONG PASSION

Archer first opened First Flight Bicycles at the current 216 S. Center St. location in 1995. The shop relocated twice in downtown Statesville because it grew rapidly and needed more space.

An Ohio native, Archer was inspired to name the store after the famous bike mechanic duo and Ohio-born Wright brothers who moved to North Carolina and made history. 

Over the years, Archer refurbished and collected rare and unusual vintage bicycles that he and Davidson hung from First Flight’s pressed tin ceiling.

Even now, visitors can see state-of-the-art bicycles alongside vintage bikes, including a penny-farthing dating back to 1885. 

“His Museum of Mountain Bike Art and Technology is a hidden treasure that attracts people from all over the country to visit,” said Iredell County Manager Ron Smith. The museum is housed in the upstairs portion of the building.

Archer first began working on bikes when he was in high school. Friends would bring him broken bikes and miscellaneous bike parts, and he would go to work, according to the First Flight Bicycles website.

Archer’s passion for cycling led him to complete many projects in the area, including about 30 miles of the Lake Norman State Park Itusi trail. Archer helped write grants, organized work days for trail construction and ran the email group for the project.

“His efforts, as well as many others, resulted in a trail system that is a true gem for Iredell County and the region, drawing thousands of riders every year,” Smith said. “Jeff was a visionary, a doer, a dedicated father and husband, and a friend I will sorely miss.”

Cycling-industry colleagues like John Finney, co-owner of Spirited Cyclist in Davidson, remember Archer as a man who worked hard to maintain the old traditions of cycling.

“Jeff did a fantastic job of preserving the history of bikes as well as running the shop,” Finney said. “It's a sad loss for our community.”

“(He) was such a vibrant force for modern cycling, but also for remembering our past,” said Mike Robinson, a cyclist from Mooresville. “His collection of classic bikes throughout the shop is a great reminder of where we came from.”

First Flight earned several industry awards, including a number three spot on “Americas 50 Best Bike Shops” by The Active Times in 2015 and a “Best Bike Shop” by the National Bicycle Dealers Association for several years.

'BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT AND SOUL'

Archer also played a major part in the revitalization of downtown Statesville.

He was an active Downtown Statesville Development Corporation board member since 2008 and served as the board chairman from 2013 to 2015, said DSDC Executive Director Marin Tomlin. 

“Jeff’s passion about his business and downtown has really helped grow Downtown Statesville as a destination,” Tomlin said. “Words cannot express our sadness and heartbreak over this loss.”

During his tenure with the organization, Archer helped lead the streetscape project — a multi-year, multi-million dollar beautification project of Statesville’s central business district that included renovations of sidewalks, roads and the Statesville City Hall building.

Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh said Archer always took everything in stride and kept a positive attitude.

“He was always a team player and honestly I don’t believe there is anyone that had a more beautiful spirit and soul,” Kutteh said.

It’s not clear what the future holds for First Flight. Davidson said that it will be up to the Archer family to decide next steps for the popular store.

Archer, of Troutman, is survived by his wife, Julie, and two sons, Seth, 21, and Sam, 18.