Bruce Ray Safrit

Mr. Bruce Ray Safrit, 92, of Salisbury, NC passed away Thursday, January 1, 2015 at the Liberty Lane Hospice House, WG Hefner VA Medical Center. Born February 26, 1922 in Salisbury, NC, he was the son of the late Beulah Graham Safrit and Jesse Calvin Safrit. Mr. Safrit was educated in the Rowan County schools. He served in the US Army during World War II, stationed in France, attaining the rank of Sergeant. After discharge from the Army, he kept in touch with his unit, the 39th Replacement Battalion and enjoyed over 50 years of yearly reunions with his fellow soldiers. Mr. Safrit was employed as a construction foreman with Wilson Construction, building bridges until his retirement in 1985. He built many of the bridges over I-85 in Rowan and neighboring counties. He enjoyed square dancing with the Cardinal Squares and was a member of the Genesis Bible Club. He was a devoted gardener, especially well known for his abundant okra crop. In his younger years, he was an avid sportsman and hunter. Later in life, he enjoyed bird watching and “feeding the birds” during all seasons. Preceding him in death are his first wife, Inez McDonald Safrit and second wife, Ailene Humphrey Safrit; brothers, Woodrow Safrit, Lloyd Safrit; sisters, Dorothy Bradshaw, Evelyn ‘Jane’ Shope, and Daisy Barrier. Those left to cherish his memory are his brother, Narve Safrit; sisters, Rachel Nail, Maisy Yost; sons, Cass Safrit (Pam), Dean Safrit (Tammy); daughters, Lana Barger (fiancé Carless Lowman), Jill Clay; grandchildren, Darin Brown, Julie Pratel, Cassie Thompson, Aaron Safrit, Sergeant Chase Safrit, Lindsay Clay, Madison Clay; seven great- grandchildren; stepsons, Charles Humphrey (Elizabeth), Allen Humphrey (Dawn); stepdaughters, Betty Cauble, Sarah Eckenrod (Paul); 5 step-grandchildren, and 4 step great-grandchildren. Visitation from 10-11am, Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Salem Lutheran Church. Funeral service will follow at 11am at Salem Lutheran Church with Rev. Marty Ramey and Rev. Doug Hefner officiating. Burial with military honors will conclude at Rowan Memorial Park cemetery. Memorials may be made to Salem Lutheran Church, 5080 Sherrills Ford Rd., Salisbury, NC 28147, and WG Hefner VA Medical Center, Volunteer Service – Hospice Fund, 1601 Brenner Ave., Salisbury, NC 28144 Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Safrit family. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com

Bruce Ray Safrit

February 26, 1922 - January 1, 2015