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.