Garland David Cloer Jr.

Born October 20, 1949 in Iredell County, he was the son of the late Garland David Cloer, Sr. and Margaret Simmons Cloer.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one step-son, Eric Phillips.

Mr. Cloer was described as a “big teddy bear," a man with an infectious laugh and a jokester who relished in playing pranks on his fellow firefighters.

Cloer has a long history with emergency services in Iredell County. He began his career as a firefighter with Statesville in the early 1970s, leaving in 1975 to join the new Iredell EMS service, a service his son, David, now heads. He left public emergency services to work for Duke Power but returned to the fire service, working for the Charlotte Fire Department. Cloer returned to his hometown of Statesville to become Iredell County chief deputy fire marshal before advancing to fire marshal upon the retirement of Ronny Thompson.

Cloer also became friends with thousands of school children when he taught fire education classes to fourth graders across the county. He was tagged by a group of those children with the nickname "Fluffy," and it seemed to fit his “teddy bear” image.

A history buff, Cloer was part of the North Carolina Daniel Boone Heritage Trail Inc., a nonprofit founded to advance and support the preservation, promotion and education of the history and heritage of Daniel Boone’s life in North Carolina.

Two years ago, Cloer portrayed a Patriot surgeon from the American Revolution at Daniel Boone Day in Wilkes County and gave out brochures about the Heritage Trail and its mission. He said his interest in local history of the mid- to late-18 th century was sparked when he took part in an archaeological dig at Fort Dobbs when he was in college.

But it was in his role as a public servant that Cloer will most be remembered. Thousands of emergency service workers across the state learned skills from Cloer, who was an instructor in many facets of emergency services.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Tanya Smith Cloer; one son, David Monroe Cloer and his wife Alisha of Statesville; one step-son, Deany Phillips and wife Jenny of Gastonia; two grandchildren, Austin Jordon Cloer and Bethany Ann Cloer and one step-grandson, Nicholas Blake Love; many extended family, friends, and co-workers.

The family will receive friends at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Thursday evening, July 23, 2015.

The funeral serving honoring Garland’s life will be held Friday, July 24, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Western Avenue Baptist Church with Rev. David Williamson, David Saleeby and Rev. David Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Snow Creek United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Jody Smyre, Darren Ledford, Tommy Moore, Mike Billings, Ed Hodges, Garrett Hearld, Sammy Willis and Trent Cranfield. Honorary pallbearers will be members of all Public Safety agencies.

Memorial donations may be made to Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southeastern Regional Medical Center 600 Celebrate Life Parkway Newnan, Georgia 30265 or to Gordon Hospice House 2347 Simonton Road Statesville, NC 28625.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Iredell County Fire Marshal Garland David Cloer, Jr.