James Lyerly

James Rex "Jack" Lyerly, Jr., age 74, of Pisgah Drive, died Monday, August 28, 2006, at his residence. He was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and the son of Frankie McGaha Lyerly and the late James Rex "Penny" Lyerly, Sr. He retired from Champion International as an electrician in 1995 with 43 years of service and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Canton. Jack was an avid outdoorsman. He liked hunting for grouse and was an accomplished dry-fly fisherman. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading. He loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At the age of 14, he had the distinguished honor of becoming the first Eagle Scout in Troop 316 under the leadership of Floyd Lowrance. Jack was a United States Army veteran serving two years in the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper testing parachutes and heavy equipment in Alaska. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dolores "Imo Jean" Powell Lyerly of Canton; three daughters, Elizabeth Susan Lyerly of Winston-Salem, Deanna Jean Lyerly Thompson and her husband, Dr. Ricky Thompson, of Charlotte, and Sandra Gayle Lyerly of Mauldin, SC; a son, James Michael Lyerly and his wife, Cathy, of Canton; a sister, Joyce Ann Smathers and her husband, Donald, of Canton; five grandchildren, Misty Dawn Moore and her husband, Wayne, James Michael Lyerly, Jr., Lauren Elizabeth, Brent David, and Evan Michael Thompson; and two great-grandchildren, Zachary and Bethany Jones. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 2006, at the Canton chapel of Wells Funeral Homes with the Reverend Patricia Chaput officiating. Burial will follow at Longs Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Canton, 31 Newfound Street, Canton, NC 28716 or to Haywood County Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 1275, Canton, NC 28716.

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