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H.K. Edgerton, a former NAACP leader known for his defense of Confederate symbols, died at the age of 78 on January 18, 2026, after a prolonged illness. Edgerton, who lived in West Asheville, became prominent in the 1990s for advocating minority business interests.

He faced scrutiny for his association with neo-Confederate Kirk Lyons and was later ousted from the NAACP. Despite this, he became a notable supporter of the Southern Legal Resource Center and protested against the removal of Confederate monuments.

His actions drew national attention, including a 2002 march across the South to raise funds for Confederate causes. Edgerton's funeral will take place on January 31, 2026.