James Donald "Don" Lyerly

James Donald “Don” Lyerly, 92 years of age, of Salisbury, NC died Thursday, December 7, 2023 at Trinity Oaks in Salisbury, NC. He was a resident in the Skilled Nursing and Rehab for the past three years. Don was born October 3, 1931 in Salisbury, NC to the late Lottie Harrison Lyerly and Isaac Victor Lyerly. He was a graduate of Cleveland High School Class of 1951, then served in the Korean War in the U.S. Navy aboard the battleship USS Iowa. Don retired from Duke Power Company after 34 years as a lineman. Always an outstanding athlete, he continued playing softball in his adult years. He also umpired all levels of softball and baseball – from little league to college women’s games locally. He was also a referee for local basketball leagues. In later years, he especially enjoyed listening to Friday night radio broadcasts of local high school football games and watching college football games on television. Hobbies during retirement included woodworking, gardening (especially flowers), restoring classic Chevrolet automobiles and traveling with his wife. They enjoyed trips to Alaska, Hawaii, Scotland and Ireland and a few Caribbean cruises. Always seeking an adrenaline “rush”, he loved roller coasters, whitewater rafting, and flying in glider airplanes. He was an avid fan of Alfred Hitchcock movies and “The Andy Griffith Show”, naming his cats after those characters. He loved music especially bluegrass, old country hymns, and classic country. Don enjoyed baking and sharing his rum cakes, but was especially fond of persimmon pudding and blackberry cobbler. Don was especially proud to be a descendant of Johann Christoph Layrle who helped bring the first Lutheran minister to North Carolina from Germany. Don was from a family of brick masons by trade, who built many of the historic buildings, churches and homes in Salisbury and Rowan County. He was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post 342. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Nancy Torrence Lyerly on Feb 2, 2020; sons, James Steven Lyerly and David Michael Lyerly and brothers, Nathan Lyerly, Walter Lyerly, William Lyerly and Frank Lyerly. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Dona Lyerly Wilson and husband Eric of Hickory; granddaughter, Claire Salisbury and husband Matt of Hillsborough, NC and great-granddaughter, Arden James Salisbury; five nephews; one niece: several great-nieces; two great-nephews and a host of cousins. And his beloved pet cats Andy and Opie. The funeral service will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 30, 2023 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, conducted by The Reverend Dr. Robert Black. Burial will follow at Rowan Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorials be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 131 West Council Street, Salisbury, NC 28144; Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research; or a local Humane Society in your community. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Lyerly family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

James Donald "Don" Lyerly

October 3, 1931 - December 7, 2023