Mr. Lawrence William Drye Sr., 88, of Statesville, N.C., passed away on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at Brookdale Peachtree of Statesville.

Mr. Drye was born in Iredell County, N.C., on March 17, 1933, and was the son of the late William Franklin Drye and Ona Deal Drye. He attended Cool Spring School and retired from J.C. Penny Distribution. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather and brother. He was a member of Cool Springs United Methodist Church. He loved to play golf, hunt, and especially travel to the beach to get away with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

On May 24, 1952, he married Virginia Ruth Campbell of Statesville; she preceded him in death on December 27, 2019. They shared 67 years of marriage. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Gary Drye and Lawrence “Lanny” Drye Jr., along with one granddaughter, Kelli Drye. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Carroll Drye and Lonnie Drye.

He is survived by two daughters, Sandra Rackley (Mark) and Tina Compton (Barry), both of Statesville; seven grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Helen Drye Ellis (Bill) of Arizona; and two sisters-in-law, Betty Drye and Martha Drye.

A service to celebrate the life of Lawrence Drye Sr. will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 6, 2022, at Cool Spring United Methodist Church with Pastor Justin Douglas and Tom Jones officiating. The family will visit with friends from 2 to 3 p.m. at the church before the service. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Grandsons and great grandsons will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville NC, 28625; or Cool Spring United Methodist Church, 1902 Mocksville Highway, Cleveland, NC 27013.

We would like to express our love and appreciation for the care given to our dad by the staff at Gordon Hospice House. Special love goes to his caregivers (Bobbie, Patti, Tracy, Melissa, and Ashley). To Yvette at Brookdale Peachtree, thank you for the love and care shown to our Dad! Online condolences can be made to www.troutmanfuneralhome.com.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.