Jack Dawson Leary

Jack Dawson Leary, 81, passed away Friday, September 28, 2012 in his hometown of Edenton, NC following a lengthy illness. Born November 29, 1930, he was the son of the late Stillman and Delsie Perry Leary. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, The Rev. Bill Leary, his nephew, Dale Leary, his sister and her husband, Emily and Monty Nock, his brother-in-law, Vann Small, and his wife's daughter, Patricia Perry Womble. An avid athlete, he was a graduate of Chowan High School where he lettered in baseball and basketball, and continued his passion for sports in support of his sisters, Ruth and Emily, who were star basketball players. Later he spent many hours mentoring high school students on the golf course, coached several youth baseball and softball teams, and carefully tended the community center's baseball diamond. In the early 1950's Jack joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at the American Air Force Base at Sealand, Wales (near Chester, England, the home of his first wife, Sheila Vernon). He completed his service at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Among his achievements are the founding and management of his business, Leary Plant Farm, Inc., his active participation in the NC Nursery & Landscape Association, his service to Rocky Hock Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher and as a member of the Senior Adult Choir, was a member and former president of the Edenton Lion's Club, the Edenton Jaycees, the board of the Edenton Steamers of the Coastal Plains Baseball League, and the Chowan Golf & Country Club. Jack valued both the wonders of the world (shown by his travels to England and Europe and his fascination with the lushness of California as a young nurseryman starting his business) and the security of his home community. He always showed up to do his part, whether collecting donations for a Lion's Club charity, delivering Christmas trees and poinsettias, or helping a family member with a home landscape project. He walked briskly and was hard to keep us with. A true family man, he could be counted on, especially at the Leary family reunions, to have a conversation with every person in the room. Following the tradition of his father, as a story teller, Jack could also spin a yarn. He had many friends and particularly enjoyed a close relationship with his paternal uncle and mentor, the late West Leary. Hard work, honesty, generosity, and responsibility were his core values. Surviving are his wife of 22 years, Audrey Bunch Perry Leary; his daughter, Vicki Leary of Raleigh, and her children, Alex and Gabi Dwyer; his son, Roddy Leary and wife Suzi of Edenton and their children, Matthew, Ryan, and Sarah; his sisters, Julia Small Elmore and husband Alton of Edenton and Ruth Clark and husband Dickey of Durham; his brother, Thomas Leary and wife Jean of Edenton; his sister-in-law, Magdalene Leary of Rocky Mount; four nieces and six nephews. Also surviving are Audrey's family; daughter, Dr. Belinda Patterson of Greenville and her children, Caroline Dangson and husband Ted and Amanda Foster and husband Scott, and their children, Cameron and Peyton; daughter, Jo Ann Carpenter and husband Vincent of Chesapeake, VA and their daughter, Chloe; son, Carroll Perry and wife Daisy of Tyner and their daughter, Sheri Hare and husband David, and their children, Megan and Cole; son-in-law, Bill Womble and wife Kay of Jefferson, NC; and her mother, Elsie N. Bunch of Edenton. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 3:00 p.m. in Rocky Hock Baptist Church by Dr. James Horton. A private burial will follow in the Leary Family Cemetery near the homeplace. Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is handling arrangements. Flowers are welcomed or contributions in his memory may be made to the building fund of Rocky Hock Baptist Church, 113 Rocky Hock Church Road, Edenton, NC 27932. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the staff of The Edenton House for the excellent care and kindnesses shown their loved one. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.