Obituary of Earl L. Petrey

September 28, 2007 Mr. Earl Lancaster Petrey, age 93, of Eastridge Acres Court, Boone, went to be with the Lord Friday morning September 28, 2007 at Watauga Medical Center. Born November 20, 1913 in Whitley County, Kentucky, he was a son of the late Charlie and Ada Dixon Petrey. Mr. Petrey began teaching in a one room schoolhouse at Wilkerson School in his hometown in Whitley, Kentucky. He taught several of his younger siblings before joining the U. S. Navy in 1941. After World War II ended Earl married Ruth in 1945 and they settled in Boone, North Carolina in 1949 to attend Appalachian State Teachers College. Mr. Petrey worked in the Watauga County School system for over 30 years, serving as teacher, principal and school board member. He spent 17 summers working as a Park Ranger on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mr. Petrey was an active member of Boone United Methodist Church since 1949. Surviving are: three sons; Douglas Petrey and wife Angela of Knightdale, NC, Winston Stephen Petrey and wife Karen and Morgan Len Petrey and wife Karen of Boone, six grandchildren; Lauren Michelle Petrey and Adam Douglas Petrey both of Knightdale, Drew Stephen Petrey and wife Fran, Molly Elizabeth Petrey and Matthew Logan Petrey all of Boone, and Dustin Lee Petrey and wife Daphne of Fleetwood, three great granddaughters; Evelyn Ruth Petrey and Mary Frances Petrey both of Boone and Ruth Elizabeth Petrey of Fleetwood, two brothers; Seagle Petrey and wife Vergie of Knoxville, Tennessee and A. D. Petrey and wife Dixie Lee of Merriville, Tennessee, and one sister, Anna Brown of Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Hanawalt Petrey, one great grandson, Daniel Lee Petrey, two sisters; Hazel Love and Geraldine Cheevers and two brothers; Ed and Cyril Petrey. A celebration of the life of Earl Lancaster Petrey will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Officiating will be Dustin Petrey and Dr. George Naff. Entombment will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens Mausoleum. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 1 until 3 o'clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Boone United Methodist Building Fund, 471 New Market Boulevard, Boone, NC 28607. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Petrey family.