Robert Bob Franklin Lyerly Jr.

Robert "Bob" Franklin Lyerly, Jr. of Cary, NC, passed away March 4, 2024, after an accelerated battle with ALS. He passed peacefully holding hands with his wife of 54 years. Robert was born in Albemarle, NC, on June 6, 1946. He is predeceased by his parents, R. Franklin Lyerly, Sr. and Mary Emma Wetmore Lyerly.

Robert attended Badin schools in Stanly County, NC, and graduated as senior class president from North Stanly High School in 1964. After high school he attended North Carolina State University before enlisting in the United States Air Force. Robert was a Vietnam Era Veteran having served four years with assignments at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC, Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Osan Base in Korea, and Misawa Base in Japan. While there, his skill set in photo/multi-imagery interpretation and mission planning specialties were utilized.

During his service and after, Robert continued his studies through the University of Maryland, Far East Division, Illinois State University, and Toledo University. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Business Administration and an MBA in Production Management.

After leaving the Air Force, Robert began his 43-year career with Owens Corning Roofing + Asphalt. He was a seasoned employee working with business acumen in the composites, insulation, foam, roofing, and asphalt environments. Robert served as Plant Manager of the Trumbull Asphalt/Owens Corning Plant in Morehead City, NC from 1989-1995.

Later, he became the Manager of Eastern Region Industrial Specialty Asphalts Key Accounts and Business Development for the Roofing & Asphalt Business, LLC. Robert traveled the area from Maine to Miami to Mobile to Memphis. He was responsible for the development and growth of the Owens Corning Industrial Specialty Asphalt Business in the Region. His career took him and his family from Columbia, SC, to Aiken, SC, to Bloomington, IL, Sylvania, OH, Marietta, GA, Naperville, IL, Toledo, OH, Morehead City, NC, Raleigh, NC, back to Toledo, OH, and finally Cary, NC.

Robert had a very strong work ethic and even after retiring could not sit still very long. He went to work for Home Depot, putting his sales and interpersonal skills back into practice.

Along with Robert’s superior professional life’s work, he spent equal time dedicated to volunteer work. He was the Chairman of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Carteret County Economic Development Council, and Officer of the Morehead City Noon Rotary Club. While a member of the Morehead City Noon Rotary Club he received the Rotarian of the Year Award, Paul Harris Fellow, and Service Above Self Award for Director 1992-1994. He served on the Budget Board of the United Way of Greater Toledo.

Robert held Officer positions in the Associations Group of the Carolina Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association and chaired the magazine committee of the CRSMCA.

Most recently, Robert was an active member of the Cary Rotary Club. And as a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Cary, NC, he served as an Usher. Combining some of his many talents, he served as Head of the Dining Committee at Glenaire, LPC.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Bonnie Matthews of Wilson, NC. They have two children, Patrick Lyerly and Kristin Lyerly (Dewey). Robert was the proud grandfather of three grandchildren- Elliott, Sophie, and Evie.

Robert believed that if you see the sun come up, help someone, learn something, and see the sun go down, you have had a very good day! He loved his family immensely, welcomed all people generously, enjoyed food and cooking, cheered on NC State athletics, admired a good joke and a dirty martini, and was fond of fishing, golf, and tennis. Robert was a loving and loyal husband, father and grandfather. He made friends quickly wherever he went, shared kindness with everyone around him, and was always known as the host with the most.

Robert was a spiritual man with a strong faith. He continued his fight and “ran until he was tackled” as he said he would. In honor of his lessons about life, love, and death that he bestowed on us, we will hold a memorial service on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Glenaire Retirement Community, located at 6000 Glenview Garden Place Cary, NC 27511 at 2 pm in the Theater.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to ALS Association NC Chapter, Glenaire Micou Browne Endowment, Cary Rotary Foundation.

ALS Association NC Chapter- https://www.als.org/support/states/north-carolina

Glenaire- https://www.brightspire.org/donate.aspx

Cary Rotary Club Foundation- https://my.rotary.org/en/donate