John W. Safley

John W “Jay” Safley, Sr., 92, son of the late William Hall Safley and Harriet Walker Safley, died July 26, 2018 in Lenoir, NC. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Betty Sue Harward Safley, two sons, John W. “Skip” Safley, Jr. (Maria) of Houston and William Harward “Corky” Safley (Donna) of Wake Forest and three daughters, Sherrill S Bogdan (Steve), Allison S Franzen (Guy), both of Lenoir and O’Kelly S Meier (Michael) of Kankakee, IL.He is also survived by ten grandchildren, Jay, Holland, and Will Safley, Kara S Staedtler (Davis), Sarah S Gibson (Allen), and Patrick (Marissa), Elizabeth, Christopher, and John Franzen and Colbie Lester, and a great grandson James Waylon Franzen, as well as several dear nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by a sister, Ruby Safley Jenrette. Born in Cooleemee, NC, Jay graduated from Cooleemee High School and NCState University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management. In 1943 at the age of 17, he volunteered for the US Naval Air Corps and was assigned, among other duties, to the newest “secret weapon,” the Norden Bombsight, automatic pilot, and ordinance, serving in the Admiralty Islands and in the Philippine Liberation. He was discharged in 1946 three days before his 20th birthday, having served two and a half years in the Pacific. He and Betty Sue were married in the beautiful chapel at Duke University in December 1949.Jay worked for 40 years in management positions in the forestry industry in Portsmouth, VA and in New Bern and Rocky Mount, NC.He was vice-president of Evans Lumber Co in Nashville, NC when the company was purchased by Louisiana-Pacific Corp, with whom he remained until he retired.Jay served on the Board of Directors of Evans Lumber Co. as well as the Board of Directors of Rocky Mount Academy.He helped to organize a youth Sunday School baseball league in New Bern and served as the first president of the organization, as well as coach of the First Presbyterian team. Jay was ordained as a deacon and served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, and later ordained as elder and Clerk of the Session of New Bern's First Presbyterian Church.He served on the Church Extension Committee of the Presbytery and helped to establish a church at Nags Head.He also taught Sunday School.After his move to Rocky Mount, as a member of First Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, he again was elected to the Session, taught Sunday School, and served as youth advisor.After he retired to Lenoir, NC, he served again as Elder and was an active member of the Scripture Explorers Sunday School Class of Lenoir Presbyterian Church (formerly called First Presbyterian Church). He regularly attended Bible Studies and Wednesday communion. Jay loved all sports and played winning volleyball and tennis when he was 40, even against opponents half his age.He was a life-long fan of ACC basketball and football (go NC State), and he liked to read, especially mysteries.He also loved to travel.The family enjoyed road trips nearly every summer, eventually visiting all the forty-eight contiguous states and Canada and Mexico.Jay and Betty Sue later traveled a number of times to Europe and visited Venezuela and Chile.To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary their children sent them back to England to be sure they had not missed something, and then treated them to a cruise to Alaska to honor their 60th anniversary. A memorial service will be held at Lenoir Presbyterian Church, on July 29, 2018 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon with the Reverend Rob Hinman and the Reverend Cindy Strickler in charge, and the family will receive friends afterwards in the chapel.Memorials may be made to Lenoir Presbyterian Church, 1002 Kirkwood Ave, NW,