Clarence Dearry

Clarence Irving Dearry, 93, formerly of Kingsport, TN, and Big Stone Gap and Olinger, VA, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, March 25, 2012, in the Duke Hospice at the Hock Family Pavilion, Durham, NC.

Clarence was born in Olinger, VA, February 20, 1919, and was the son of the late Erastus and Emma Lou Olinger Dearry. He is preceded in death by his dearly departed wife of 58 years, Eva Louise Dykes Dearry, formerly of Kingsport, TN. Clarence and Eva had moved to Chapel Hill, NC, in 2003, to be near their sons and family. His gentle, kind and caring nature endeared him to many friends and colleagues.

He was a loving father, a devoted husband, a wonderful brother and a great friend. He was an energetic individual who gave of himself to all he served and with whom he worked. He was an avid fisherman and took great pleasure in coaching his son’s little league baseball teams and other sports and serving as a leader in their boy scout pursuits. As a First Sergeant, he served with the US Army in the World War II Pacific Theater of Operations with the 77th “Statue of Liberty” Division. Having graduated from the Johnson City Business College, he was an accountant for over 40 years working with the Tennessee Eastman Corporation, Penn Dixie Cement Corporation and Sure Fit Products, Inc. With a diverse interest in all aspects of life, Clarence was a member of Crossroads United Methodist Church in Kingsport, TN, and Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, NC. Brother Clarence was a 56 year 32nd degree member of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, Free and Accepted Masonry, and the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Orient of Tennessee.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister Glessie Dearry Collins of Big Stone Gap, VA.

He leaves to his cherish his memory, his two sons Allen and wife Barbara of Chapel Hill, NC, and Mark of Raleigh, NC; and nieces and nephews Emma Jean Collins Johnson of Blountville, TN, Shirley Collins Clark of Kingsport, TN, and James Clarence Collins of Weber City, VA. He also leaves behind many other relatives and friends whose love, support and kindness he greatly appreciated.

Calling hours for visitation are from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2012, at the East Lawn Funeral Home, to be followed by a memorial service in the chapel at 3:00 p.m.

Graveside service, with military honors, will follow the memorial service in the East Lawn Memorial Park in the Garden of Christus.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Please visit the family to leave a condolence at www.eastlawnkingsport.com.