Pete Kerley

Mr. Glen Alan "Pete" Kerley, Sr., 64, of Statesville, N.C. passed away Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at the Gordon Hospice House. He was born May 23, 1947 in Wilkes County, N.C. and was the son of Polly Johnson Kerley of Winston-Salem, N.C. and the late A.M. Kerley. He graduated from Cool Springs School and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam and was twice wounded for which he received the Purple Heart and Oak Leaf Cluster. He also received a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal. On October 27, 1967 he was married to Donnette "Doni" Rimmer Kerley who survives. He was a member of Diamond Hill Baptist Church but was raised up in Faith Baptist Church. Pete was disability retired and had worked for U.S. Air as a station agent. He loved to fish and especially in the Pierremarquette River in Michigan and the Kenia River in Alaska. Pete was especially loved by his friends and family and was a very giving man. He was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Nora and Loma Johnson, Sr., his step-father, A.M. Kerley; a sister, Patti Kerley and a special aunt and uncle, Katherine and Allen Sain. In addition to his wife and mother, Pete is survived by one son, G. Alan Kerley, II, (A.J.) of Statesville; one daughter, Crystal K. Giffin (Cory) of Kernersville, N.C.; two granddaughters, Jordan and Brayden Giffin of Kernersville, N.C.; a twin sister, Becky K. Ross (Mike) of Cherryville, N.C.; a sister, Maxine K. Bowen (Stewart) of Tabaccoville, N.C.; one brother, John Kerley (Julie) of Winston-Salem, N.C.; an uncle, J.L. Johnson (Ann) of Statesville, and his mother and father-in-law, Harold and Garnett Rimmer of Statesville. A number of nieces, nephews and many friends also survive. A celebration of life service will be conducted 3:00 pm Friday, September 23, 2011, at Faith Baptist Church with Rev. Marvin Boyer and Chaplain Brad Borders officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Iredell County Military Burial Detail. The family will visit with friends from 2:00 until 3:00 pm before services at Faith Baptist Church. Burial will be on a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, N.C. 28625. The family will be assembled at the home of Alan and A.J. Kerley, 304 Sain Road, Statesville, N.C. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Pete Kerley