February 3, 1930 - April 30, 2022
Our Daddy was an energetic man who laughed and kidded loudly and often. His lack of patience was his trademark; along with being a lifelong workaholic, always calculating a way to save every single penny. He grew up in Siler City, joined the Air Force and then returned from service to work in construction with Van Thomas Contractor for 50+ years. He retired when our mother did (only to go back into working for himself with his buddy Barry).
He married Mary Lee Kivett in 1952, and they had Teresa in 1955, then Shari in 1961. He built a home in Whites Chapel during the last years of the 1950’s, hoping to be finished before Teresa started first grade. He was a strong arm to his kids, rode his bicycle with Shari in the front basket and Teresa on the back. He lived beside his in-laws, Lucy and Lacy, and did every task for them they beckoned him to do.
He and his wife Mary, along with his rook playing buddies, Louise, Doc, Kathy, John, Jamie, Joel, Helen and James played rook many a night until mornings light started to make them sleepy. He played softball and was never good, but always was tenacious about catching that ball — not worrying too much if he injured the other player or himself in the meantime! They all enjoyed Atlanta Braves baseball and were known to drive to Atlanta just to help the coach “coach the team.”
He loved to strip down (yup) and swim in the pool he built with a paid-off universal life insurance policy and enjoyed watching others enjoy his pool. When he and Mary were able to fly at no cost while Shari worked at American Airlines, they enjoyed flying down to Daytona Beach just to go to the flea market to seek out the best deals.
He was an excellent caregiver for our mother, and later cared for her cat (DC) whose ashes accompany him. He and DC would lay in the recliner — daddy commanding Alexa to play country music for hours.
He loved his grandsons, PJ and Ryan, their wives, Sara and Gabrielle, and his great-grandsons — P3 and Shepard. He truly enjoyed eating and was saddened in the last months that his taste buds were failing. Food gave him so much joy. Before covid, he enjoyed the monthly class reunions at Best Foods in Siler City with Dewey, Ray and George. He smiled all the way over and reminisced all the way home. He looked forward to Greg Fox picking him up and taking him to his favorite restaurant, Bamboo Garden where 2-3 trips to the buffet made Daddy very happy!
He baked lemon and chocolate meringue pies for himself and would brag about eating them up in two short days. He always loved home made ice cream.
He loved his sister and brother-in-law (Sarah Frances and Harold Andrews) and cherished their daughter Kim (and Johnny). He loved his mother (Josie) and always had lots of humorous stories about his dad (Grady).
Teresa (Bob), and Shari (Paul) will miss their daddy without measure. He enjoyed the company and attention from his niece (Kathy) and nephew (Monte), both whom I am sure will miss “GR” a great deal.
We thank Randolph Hospice for his brief care with them. Thanks to those who reached out the day of his accident and all days since.
The body will lie in repose beginning on Friday, May 6, from 12 noon until 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday, May 7, at Loflin Funeral Home in Ramseur. Family visitation will be Saturday, May 7, from 2 to 2:45 p.m., with funeral at 3 p.m., with a Military Honor Guard salute by the Randolph County Honor Guard and burial for Daddy (Gyles) at Whites Chapel Community Church. Daddy was a member at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for over 60 years.
Please consider sending no floral arrangements but donate to either Whites Chapel Community Church (2284 Ramseur-Julian Rd., Liberty N.C. 27298) or Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church (7103 Sandy Creek Church Rd., Staley, N.C. 27355) in honor of our wonderful father, Gyles.
Condolences may be made online at www.loflinfuneralservice.com.
Arrangements by Loflin Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ramseur.
