Gary Ray Lyerly, 82, of Raleigh, NC passed into the Church Triumphant on 7 December 2025 with family by his side. He was born on the 19 June 1943 to Pearl Holshouser Lyerly & Carr R. Lyerly in Salisbury, NC. He began his Christian faith as a baptized child of God and through confirmation at St. Peter’s Lutheran, Salisbury.
He was an honor graduate of both his high school in 1961, East Rowan, and in 1965 from Lenoir-Rhyne college. He continued his academic and faith journey by attending the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary where he graduated cum laude with a Master of Divinity. He was ordained into the gospel ministry by the North Carolina Synod in 1969 and obtain his chaplain certification in 1996. He served over 50 years in the Lutheran faith as a pastor, as a district dean, and chaplain in parishes of several states, including North Carolina (St. Timothy in Havelock, Shepherd of the Sea in Atlantic Beach, St. Johns in Asheboro), South Carolina (Cross and Crown in Florence, Lowman Home in White Rock, Good Shepard in Swansea) and Tennessee(Our Saviour in Johnson City). After retirement from full-time ministry in 2010, he served as supply pastor for many congregations, helping them through their transitions. His ministry was marked by his gifts as a communicator; he was a gifted storyteller who delivered the Gospel with compelling humor, profound insight, and clear understanding through his memorable sermons, biblical reenactments, and puppet scripts.
In 1967 he married Dorothea “Dottie” McCarter and they were married nearly 55 years until her death in 2022. They were blessed with one son, Cory Lyerly of Raleigh, NC, a daughter and son-in-law, Carla and Kurt Linebarger of Gainesville, FL and their children Aidan and Rylan. He was proceeded in death by his parents and his sister, Carlene Fink. He is survived by his brother-in-law Larry Fink, cherished nephews and their wives, Eric and Kris Fink, Dwayne and Catherine Fink, and great-nephew and wife Jacob and Elizabeth as well as many cherished aunts, uncles and cousins on both the Lyerly and Holshouser sides.
The family wishes to thank the many loving people who were a part of Gary’s life, especially those many members of all the congregations he was honored to serve. The members have been an extended family who enriched his life as he hoped that he enhanced theirs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in his honor, with a suggestion being: The New Life fund of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary at Lenoir-Rhyne University (http://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/17599/donations/new, or by mail Lenoir-Rhyne University c/o LTSS New Life Fund 625 7th Ave, LRU 7467, Hickory, NC 28601) or any charity of one’s choice.
A celebration of Life & Resurrection will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Salisbury, NC Saturday the 13th of December at 11 am.
