Gary Lyerly Obituary

The Reverend Gary Ray Lyerly

June 19, 1943 -

December 7, 2025

The Reverend Gary Ray Lyerly, 82, of Raleigh, NC, passed into the Church Triumphant on December 7, 2025, with family by his side.

Born on June 19, 1943, in Salisbury, NC, to Pearl Holshouser Lyerly and Carr R. Lyerly, he began his Christian faith at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Salisbury.

Gary was an honor graduate of East Rowan High School (1961) and Lenoir-Rhyne College (1965). He continued his academic and faith journey at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, where he graduated cum laude with a Master of Divinity. He was ordained into the gospel ministry by the North Carolina Synod in 1969 and obtained his chaplain certification in 1996.

He dedicated over 50 years to the Lutheran faith, serving in parishes across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee as a pastor, district dean, and chaplain. After retiring from full-time ministry, he continued to serve as a supply pastor, helping many congregations through transitions. His ministry was defined by his gifts as a communicator: a gifted storyteller who delivered the Gospel with humor, profound insight, and clear understanding through his memorable sermons, biblical reenactments, and puppet scripts.

In 1967, he married Dorothea "Dottie" McCarter; they were married for nearly 55 years until her death in 2022. He is survived by his son, Cory Lyerly of Raleigh, NC; his daughter and son-in-law, Carla and Kurt Linebarger of Gainesville, FL, and their children, Aidan and Rylan. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carlene Fink. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Larry Fink, nephews and their wives, Eric and Kris Fink, Dwayne and Catherine Fink, and great-nephew and wife, Jacob and Elizabeth as well as many cherished aunts, uncles and cousins on both the Lyerly and Holshouser sides.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the many loving people who were part of Gary's life, especially the members of all the congregations he served, who became extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in his honor. A suggested recipient is The New Life fund of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary at Lenoir-Rhyne University, which can be reached online

(http://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/17599/donations/new) or by mail: Lenoir-Rhyne University c/o LTSS New Life Fund 625 7th Ave, LRU 7467 Hickory, NC 28601.Memorials may also be made to a charity of one's choice.

A celebration of Life & Resurrection will be held at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Salisbury, NC Saturday the 13th of December at 11 am. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Powles Staton Funeral Home of Rockwell is assisting the Lyerly family. Online condolences may be made at www.powlesfuneralhome.com.