Gerald Thomas Easley

Gerald Thomas Easley, 86, of Statesville, passed away April 22, 2016, at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville. He was born January 2, 1930, in Hattiesburg, MS to the late William Franklin Easley and Anna Mae Hall Easley. Gerry graduated from Hattiesburg High School where he played French Horn and served as Drum Major of the High School Band. He entered Mississippi Southern College to pursue a Degree in Music, was a member of Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity, played French Horn in the University Band and Orchestra and sang in the Vesper Choir. He was a member of the 313th Army Reserve Band, and when the Korean Conflict began, the entire band was called to active duty, interrupting his education. Following two years of military service, he entered the University of Mississippi where he served as Drum Major of the Ole Miss Rebel Band, played French Horn in the University Band and Orchestra, trumpet in the "Mississippians" Dance Band and served on the ASB Dance Committee. He received a Bachelor of Music Degree in 1954, married his college sweetheart, Nancy Craig, and after a year of teaching decided to pursue another degree. He entered Mississippi State University School of Engineering in 1955, served as Drum Major of the Famous Maroon Marching Band, played French Horn in the University Concert Band and continued to play trumpet in area dance bands. He always enjoyed bragging that he was the only person that ever served as Drum Major of the Ole Miss Band and its arch rival, the Mississippi State University Band. He received a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1957 and accepted a position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, MS where he held several positions, retiring in 1996 as Director of Public Works in the Waterways Experiment Station. An avid outdoorsman, Gerry loved fishing and was a master at cultivating hybrid tea roses. He was a constant presence on the tennis court and golf course at the Vicksburg Country Club. His love of music continued to bring him great joy as he played French Horn in the Jackson, MS Symphony for many years and attended opera productions in San Francisco, Santa Fe, New York, and Paris, He was a Patron of the Metropolitan Opera at its Memphis, TN performances. Music was always playing in his home. Gerry's interest in photography followed him throughout his adult life and he traveled extensively to favorite destinations in the U.S., Europe and the Orient. He established a framing business in his spare time known as the "The Frame Up" and his home was filled with his beautiful photographs from their travels. For over 15 years, Gerry was a member of the Vicksburg Little Theatre and performed in numerous productions, his favorite role being El Gayo in "The Fantastics." He was a movie fan and could name all the actors in the old movies his favorites being Cary Grant and Errol Flynn. His extensive library provided many hours of viewing pleasure. Nancy Passed away in 2000 and in 2003, Gerry married Georgane Ferguson Love, widow of Kelly Love. The Easleys and the Loves, Ole Miss graduates had remained friends through the years. Gerry would talk of the years he was Drum Major of the Ole Miss Band and Georgane was a Majorette, but "I had my eye on someone else, then. In Vicksburg, Gerry was a 50 year member of the Rotary Cub and a Paul Harris Fellow, First Presbyterian Church where he sang in the choir, Vicksburg Country Club, Mississippi Senior Golfers, Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation and the Metropolitan Supper Club of Jackson, MS. In 2009, the Easleys moved to Statesville where he was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Statesville Country Club, the Rotary Club of Statesville, Friends of Fort Dobbs, and a Benefactor of Performing Arts Live of Iredell. In addition to his parents and his first wife, he is predeceased by a brother Dr. William Franklin Easley, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Georgane Ferguson Love Easley, stepson, Dale Kelly Love, Jr. of Hattiesburg, MS, a favorite cousin, Nelda Dees Doerr of Cherryhill, NJ, and a niece, Susan Easley Kelly of Raleigh, MS. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Meeting Street, Statesville, NC 28677 or the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, 28625. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.