John Gaylord Sr.

John Patrick Gaylord, Sr. , 62, went home to be with the Lord on September 3, 2015, after a valiantly fought 3 year battle with lung and brain cancer. He died peacefully at home. He was born December 18, 1952, in Albany, NY, and was raised in Chatham Center, NY. He and his wife and children moved to North Carolina in 1980. John was a long-time member of Croatan Free Will Baptist Church where he often participated as Usher and Greeter. He enjoyed Nascar

racing (Tony Stewart), NFL football (New York Giants/Carolina Panthers), southern gospel music, and loved to be with his family. When he was well, and even when he was not, if the sun was shining, you could find John sitting on the back deck in the hot Carolina sunshine. He was known for his humor and charm, and his willingness to help others.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Denise Gardner Gaylord, his son, John Patrick Gaylord, Jr. and wife, Trina, of Lillington, N.C., and his daughter, Christina Lynn Gaylord, of New Bern, N.C.; 8 grandchildren - Matthew Gaylord, Cody Gaylord, Brittany Eborn, Kelsey Withey, Marissa Baehr, Zachary Adams and wife, Leticia, Amber Siers, and Anthony Cahow; his sisters, Mary Gaylord , Kathleen Palmer and husband Raymond; his brothers, Edward Gaylord and wife

Terri, Peter O’Donnell and wife Shirley, Richard Clifford and wife, Bonnie, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son, Steven Anthony Gaylord, his parents, and numerous brothers and sisters.

The family would like to thank Dr. Chris Taylor and his staff (New Bern Cancer Care) and Dr. David Maybee and his staff (New Bern Internal Medicine) for their wonderful and compassionate care over the course of this horrible disease, CarolinaEast Medical Center, and Craven County Hospice for their services (and especially his nurse, Martina).

A memorial service will be held at Croatan Free Will Baptist Church, 7028 U.S. Hwy. 70 East, New Bern, NC, on Sunday, September 13, 2015, at 1:00 p.m., Pastor (and dear friend) Harry Bryan officiating. Assistance with final preparations was provided to the family by Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory, New Bern, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John’s name to Journey of Hope Cancer Support Center, CCHC, 1010 Medical Park Avenue, New Bern, NC 28562, or Craven County Hospice, PO Drawer 12610, New Bern, NC 28561.