Category: 1964

Wayne was born in a small town in Virginia, but as sometimes happens, this did not keep him from making his life large, and making himself known in the world in ways no one could have quite predicted.

He grew up in a tight knit family, bonded closely to siblings that he loved and a father that taught him one of the greatest joys of his life, how to dance. Throughout his life, Wayne would dance. Not on stage, but in grocery store aisles, parking lots, living rooms, and in the end, even in the Memory Care home with his caretakers, graciously taking nurses nearby for a spin, a dip, a twirl. You see, for Wayne, a polite, introverted Southern gentleman, dance was his spirit let loose. And that was something he just had to share.

So yes, he went on to colleges and MBA’s at Wharton, he served one of the hardest jobs in the military during the Vietnam War (letting families of fallen warriors know that their children had died in combat, flag in hand), and eventually to lead multi-national oil conglomerates around the world.

Yes, he did great things in a career, but he always said that that part of his life didn’t matter to him. He married a pretty blonde translator from the United Nations that he met at a cocktail party, and went on to have a family. He moved from New York to London and traveled the world, eventually settling in Houston, all the while adding two children, three dogs, and multiple friends and extended family along the way. This was what made Wayne happy.

He said that when he saw his children laughing, that let him know that he had done the right thing with his life.

Later in life, he was lucky enough to meet a great love, and marry her, as well. This was a woman who would transform his life even further, opening up his world to travel he didn’t know possible, to children and grandchildren and babies who would sleep on his chest. In this chapter he became known as “the baby whisperer” . . . which gave him such pride. He loved children, because they understood his energy, they thrived on his kindness.

He found love at a time when he thought that chapter was written and done. He found a dance partner even more enthusiastic than he himself ever was. She taught him to tango, she took him out on dance floors around the world.

He passed too soon. We say this often of people, perhaps because we don’t believe there is ever a right time to die.

But.

He also left much behind. And what he left will linger. A life well lived that is an example to everyone. A family, multi-generational, and modern, and layered, that loves and thrives and extends even to this day. Wisdom and kindness that we each must remember and keep alive, as reminders OF him and TO ourselves.

And of course, the love of a good dance. Something we all need to remember how to let go of ourselves and give into, often, and in his honor.

Roy Alexander, the first executive director of the Davidson Lands Conservancy and a longtime Mecklenburg County environmental leader, died suddenly on Sunday. He was 72.

Under Alexander, what had been a fledgling land trust became one of the most productive of its size and a part of the growing town’s fabric.

“There was an absolute metamorphosis of DLC almost since the moment Roy took over as director,” said Jim Fuller, a Davidson lawyer and town commissioner who led the conservancy when it hired Alexander in 2006.

The nonprofit group has helped protect about 400 acres since it formed in 2000, including a wetland threatened by development that is now a nature preserve. It launched World of Wonder, a program that engages families with nature.

Alexander became a go-to expert for town officials and other conservation advocates on planning and environmental matters.

Walks in the woods with the bearded Alexander became quiet lessons in plant identification, the quirks of north Mecklenburg’s rolling topography and why it was worth saving.

“He was just an indomitable spirit,” said former conservancy President Pam Dykstra. “Walking with Roy, he knew every plant he found – there wasn’t a flower he didn’t know. He had just a wealth of information and a wealth of heart and a wealth of love for the land and this area.”

A Davidson College graduate with a master’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill, Alexander began his career as a high school biology teacher and later worked as a 4-H agent. He joined the Discovery Place science museum before it opened in 1981 and stayed 20 years, overseeing science education and special programs.

Alexander was a founder of the group that became Mecklenburg’s first Sierra Club chapter. He loved scuba diving, volleyball and his east Charlotte neighborhood. He also served for years on an array of city and county boards, from parks and greenways to stormwater.

“He walked the walk,” said his wife, Sue Peck. “He didn’t shy away from the committees that most people wouldn’t call glamorous.”

Alexander is also survived by two children and seven grandchildren.

“I’ve always told myself we get the government or the community or the society we deserve, and if we are not out there trying to make it better, it’s going to go the opposite way,” he said when the Observer named him a Guardian of the Environment in 2003. “It’s an obligation that every individual has to do what they can for the general good.”

The Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District named him winner of its urban conservation award in 2009.

As the Davidson conservancy’s sole staff member, said current president Rob Van Epps, “Roy was certainly the heart and soul of the organization. Roy was extremely passionate about land conservation, and that passion is what kept us going.”

At the conservancy’s recent annual meeting, Fuller noted, presidents of long-past boards were there.

“It was because of Roy’s personality, his leadership and absolute devotion to protecting the environment that people who served with him retained an interest,” he said. “He was a wonderful person and a wonderful conservationist, and there’s an empty space in my pantheon of heroes today.”

William “Lyman” Dillon Passed away November 29, 2014 after a twenty year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born March 24, 1942 in High Point, NC, where he grew up. Lyman graduated from Davidson College in 1964 and Duke Law School in 1967. After serving in the U.S. Army, he moved to Atlanta, GA in 1970, where he was employed as an attorney with the law firm of Hansell, Post, Brandon and Dorsey. He became a partner in his firm in 1975. In 1989, his firm merged with Jones Day, where Lyman practiced until his retirement in 1998.

Lyman is survived by his loving wife Sandy, his son Justin (Katherine), his step-daughters, April (Bob) Kaynor and Heather (John) Hoffmeister; grandchildren, Calvin and Jane Dillon; Dillon, Caroline and Charlie Kaynor; Hunter and Lindsay Hoffmeister; sisters, Carolyn Dillon and Patty Pendarvis; brother, Clark Dillon; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Lyman’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at Palms Presbyterian Church, 3410 South Third Street, Jacksonville Beach, FL, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Palms Presbyterian Church or to Lake Toxaway United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 83, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747. Please visit our online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Arrangements by Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach, FL.

Copyright (c) 2014 The Atlanta Journal and the Atlanta Constitution

Joseph (Joe) Lee Burdette (CMSGT USAF, Retired), 71, of Tallassee, passed away October 20, 2014 after an extended illness. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia on January 8, 1943, to the late Okey and Eva Burdette. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 22, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Linville Memorial Funeral Home, and also on Thursday at 10:00 am, one hour before funeral service at 11:00 am at the funeral home chapel with Rev. Scott Leach officiating.

Interment will follow at 2:45 pm at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo with full military honors, Linville Memorial Funeral Home directing. A graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan College and Creighton University (Omaha, NE), he faithfully served his country 24 years in the U. S. Air Force before retiring in 1988. He was an active member of Central Bible Chapel in Millbrook for over 25 years. He also enjoyed hunting and spending time with his grandchildren.

Mr. Burdette is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sherry; his two children, Lt. Col. Joel (Stephanie) Burdette USMC (Ret) of Tallassee and Kimberly (Chris) Caldwell of Woodstock, GA; four grandchildren, Joseph and Luke Burdette and Rachel and Jacob Caldwell; five brothers and sisters, Becky Saunders of Greensboro, NC; Tim (Cathy) Burdette of Lafayette, LA, Debby Watkins of Wilmington, NC, Mark (Judy) Burdette of Indian Trail, NC and Stephen (Kathy) Burdette of Monticello, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Central Bible Chapel, 3270 Main St, Millbrook, AL 36054, or Cherokee Christian School, 3075 Trickum Rd, Woodstock, GA 30188, or the charity of your choice .

Online condolences at www.linvillememorial.com.

Raleigh Luther Norman Johnson II, 72, died Saturday morning, September 20th, at his home in Raleigh following a long battle with heart disease.

He was born June 27, 1942 to the late Luther Norman and Pauline Sloan Johnson of the Meadow Community in Johnston County. He graduated from Meadow High School in 1960 and Davidson College in 1964. He worked as an independent real estate appraiser in Raleigh for 25 years.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sue Marler Johnson, and three sons, Daniel Sloan Johnson, M.D. of Asheville, Marcus Livingston Johnson of Ottawa, Canada, and Andrew Marler Johnson and his wife, Leslie, of Durham. He delighted in his three grandsons, Tyler Michael, Samuel Reid, and James Marler Johnson. In addition, his sisters, Paula J. Eliasek of Port St. Lucie, Florida and Cara J. Hayes and her husband, Gerry, of Fayetteville, occupied a special place in his heart.

One of his sisters said of him this week, “Luther is the most unselfish person I’ve ever known.” Luther valued his time with his family first and foremost. He enjoyed country and bluegrass music, listening to and telling stories, and meeting and learning about people from all walks of life. As a member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church, he looked forward to helping with the nursery during Sunday worship service. The family would like to thank the Rex Home Services and Transitions LifeCare staff members for the excellent care and support they provided for Luther in his final months.

Visitation will be at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh in the Jane Bell Gathering Space from 5-7 PM on Monday, September 22nd.

A graveside service will be held at Hood’s Grove Baptist Church, 677 Hood’s Grove Church Road, Newton Grove on Tuesday, September 23rd at 11:00 AM. Officiating will be Dr. Arthur Ross. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association of North Carolina, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216. Arrangements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson.

Copyright (c) 2014 The News and Observer