After returning from the U.S. Air Force service in the Korean War, A.L. met the love of his life, Nila Jo. They were happily married for 53 years. A.L. was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. For a while, he and Nila Jo raised hunting dogs, but they had to get out of the business, because they said, “it is like selling your children.” A.L. was always an animal lover, including the current family dog Shiloh, who loved him, as well. In his later years, A.L. took diligent care of the birds who visited his yard. He was known as the Purple Martin expert, for his 100+ gourds he would put up every Spring, to house the Martins and their broods. He was also a devoted fan of both the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants.
He leaves behind his daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Richard Moser Flovilla, GA; sisters, Patsy Crump and husband Kelly of Raleigh and Genelle Dail and husband Johnie of Raleigh, friends who were family to him, (the McGee family and others), as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Services for A.L. will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Hickory Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 until 2:45 p.m. at the funeral home. Dr. Roller will be officiating the service, with Rev. Tony Land assisting. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers for the service will include; Terry McGee, Russell McGee, Danny Murphy, Isaac Pearson, Jim Pearson, and Rob Hill.
Memorials may be made to The Penny Crusade Fund at First Advent Christian Church, 1941 N Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601.
