Loy E Sigmon

Son of the late Loy E. and Glenn Reid Sigmon, Loy grew up in Newton, North Carolina and made Catawba County his home for his entire life. After graduating from Newton-Conover High School in 1943, he served in the Navy during World War II as a pharmacist’s mate 2nd class. Upon discharge from the Navy, he attended the Parsons School of Design in New York City. He graduated with a degree in Interior Design in 1949 and was awarded the Lady Elise DeWolf Mendl scholarship for study aboard which afforded him the opportunity to study design in France and Italy.

After working for Ellis Stone Department stores in Durham, North Carolina and Maiden Fabrics. Inc., Loy opened his design studio, which would become Loy Sigmon Interiors, in 1954 in Newton, North Carolina. Accredited by A.I.D. (American Institute of Decorators), he would serve on its board of governors and as president of its Carolinas Chapter. He had a diverse clientele including residential and commercial installations and worked as an independent designer for several furniture companies including Drexel. He designed interiors both regionally and nationally for Rossmoor Leisure World headquartered in Maryland. He also designed model rooms for different exhibitions including the Southeastern Flower and Garden Show in Charlotte. One such room was a playroom that was later installed in the North Carolina Governor’s Mansion for the Governor and Mrs. Dan Moore’s grandchildren in 1967.

Loy married Jane Bridges Coley in 1958 and they raised their sons Peter Reid and David Miller Sigmon in their home on West Seventh Street. He and his wife, Jane, loved their close-knit and extended family, who gathered every Christmas at their home to share in their hospitality.

Loy was also a vital participant in his church community at Grace Reformed United Church of Christ. He served on the planning committee for the construction of the new church on East J Street and volunteered his time in many capacities including deacon, elder, and head of consistory. With his wife, Jane, he was also involved with the Hickory Little Theatre, volunteering his time and talent for the productions of Charles Jeffers.

Loy loved football and attended the home games at N.C. State where his sons Peter and David earned their degrees. He worked in social services during his retirement and enjoyed visiting his sons and their families in Dalton, Georgia and Raleigh, North Carolina. He loved his family dearly and they all in turn adored him.

Loy was a loving and devoted husband, father, uncle and grandfather with an unmistakable smile, kind heart, strong will and wry sense of humor. He appreciated the finest things in life and his memory is a blessing and example of excellence to all those who have loved him. Loy is survived by his sons Peter Reid Sigmon and David Miller Sigmon; Peter’s wife, Lisa, and their children Kathryn, Audrey and Peter Sigmon, Jr.;

David’s wife, Jennifer, and their children Elias and Sarah Jane, as well as a large extended family.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 13, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Reformed United Church of Christ in Newton, NC with Rev. Ryan Brakemeyer and Rev. Fred Thompson officiating.

Burial will follow at Eastview Cemetery in Newton.

The Sigmon family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30-1:45.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Reformed United Church of Christ, 117 East J St., Newton, NC 28658 or Brian Long Foundation, 1456 Little Hill Rd., Newton, NC 28658 or The ALS Association, 120 Penmarc Dr., Ste. 101, Raleigh, NC 27603.