Tex Lyerly obit (Class of 1960)

(Many in our class knew Tex Lyerly well. He was close friends with Coy Fink, Nelson Lingle, Jackie Stanley, Dennie Sellars, Garlan Gudger, Donna Joyce Ludwig, Brenda Jones and others from that class whom we knew so well. My brother Nelson recounts the following story ...

Tex’s brother Bobby at age 16 in the summer of 1952 shot and killed their father who was drunk and beating up their mother - not a first time occurrence. It was headline news in the Post. There was a trial at which Bobby was quickly acquitted. Mr. Barnhardt, the GQHS Principal at that time, let it be known that if anyone from GQHS was seen in the vicinity of the courthouse during the trial he would be expelled. -- Lavon)

Mr. Tex Carlton Lyerly, 73 of Granite Quarry passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at his residence. Mr. Lyerly was born February 8, 1942 in Rowan County, son of the late Issac Ford Lyerly and Myrtle Barger Lyerly.

He was a 1960 graduate of East Rowan High School, which was the first graduating class. He had worked for 33 years at Owen-Illinois as a shift-supervisor and he retired from Desco Incorporated.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served as a Military Police Officer in Varona, Italy. He was a member of Union Lutheran Church, Livengood-Peeler-Wood American Legion Post 448, a former member of Wittenberg Lutheran Church and St. Peters Lutheran Church where he served on the Church Council.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his granddaughter Lillian Trexler and brother Bobby F. Lyerly.

Mr. Lyerly is survived by his wife Patsy Drye Lyerly whom he married November 29, 1986, sons Christopher Lyerly of Gold Hill, NC, and Bradley Trexler of Salisbury, daughters Lisa T. Clement and husband Tim of Salisbury, Ashley T. Kesler and husband Lucas of Salisbury, brother John Joe Lyerly and wife Sue of Granite Quarry. He is also survived by grandchildren Chelsea and Chase Lyerly, Emily and Gavin Clement, Landon and Corbin Kesler and Noah Trexler.

The family will receive friends at Powles Staton Funeral Home on Friday, December 11 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

The funeral service will be on Saturday, December 12 at 11:00 AM at Union Lutheran Church, conducted by Rev. David Nuottila, pastor. Military graveside rights will be conducted by The U.S. National Guard following the service at Brookhill Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Union Lutheran Church, 4770 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28146.

Powles Staton Funeral Home is assisting the Lyerly family.

Losing classmates at the rate of one per month

Since August 1 we have been losing classmates at the rate of about one per month. In August it was Vicki Morgan, in September it was Diane Gaither, in November Billy Shepherd, and already in December Phillip Walton.

My brother Nelson is the source of all these obits. But in case if you hear of the passing of a classmate or other significant news on any of our classmates, please check this blog after a few days and see if I've posted the information, and if not please pass the information along to me.

Thanks. Lavon

Phillip Walton

(This is Phillip's obit from the Salisbury Post. He graduated in our class, but started high school a year ahead of us as you can guess from his age. In any case, he was a classmate during my sophomore at GQHS according the the 1959 yearbook, and during our final two years at ERHS. -- Lavon)

Walter “Phillip” Walton, 74, of Salisbury, passed away on Saturday November 28, 2015 at his home surrounded by family. Mr. Walton was born on September 10, 1941 in Rowan County to the late Walter Ross Walton and Ruth Poole Walton.

Phillip was a 1961 graduate of East Rowan High School and was a life long member of Union Lutheran Church. He retired from Norfolk Southern Railway in 1992 where he worked as brakeman. He also worked at Rives Motor Company doing auto body and collision repair.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years Judy Shenk Walton of Salisbury; three sons, Thomas Andrew Walton and wife Veronica of Salisbury, Steven Craige Walton and wife Ervina of Rockwell, and Michael Phillip Walton of Salisbury; two sisters, Kathryn Wise of Salisbury, and Margaret Ann Broadway and husband Bill of Salisbury; as well as ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A Graveside Service will be held on Friday December 4th at 12:00 Noon at Union Lutheran Church conducted by Pastor David Nuottila. The family will receive friends from 11:00am to 12:00 Noon prior to the graveside service at the church.

Memorials may be made to Union Lutheran Church, 4770 Bringle Ferry Rd, Salisbury, NC 28146.

Carolina Cremation of Salisbury is assisting the Walton family.