SILER CITY — Siler City Commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Cheek passed away on Tuesday at SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC Healthcare in Pittsboro. Cheek had fallen ill last week and was transported UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill. On Monday, he was transferred to the hospice center where he passed away.
Cheek had represented District 2 in Siler City for more than 15 years. He was re-elected to office last November.
Siler City Mayor John Grimes said that Cheek was “such a valuable asset to this community” and “one of my dearest friends in Siler City.”
“He was so instrumental in fostering good relations between different ethnic groups in our community,” Grimes said. “He held it together.”
"Mayor Pro-Tem Cheek was such a valuable part of the board and his leadership and guidance will be missed," Siler City Town Manager Roy Lynch said. "He is highly respected by staff and it was always a pleasure to see his smiling face when he stopped by town hall. Many times, it was to say 'hello' and see if there was anything he could do to assist. He was an advocate for the residents and always concerned for the well being of town staff."
Grimes and Lynch separately reached out to the town attorney William Morgan to determine the options and procedures moving forward. By North Carolina law, municipal representatives are appointed by the current board to fulfill the remaining term of more than three years. In addition, the board will have to vote to determine who will the next Mayor Pro-Tem for the town.
The Chatham News + Record will update this story as more information becomes available.