Tim Edward Drye, Sr.

Thomasville - Mr. Tim Edward Drye, Sr., a resident of Thomasville, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Hinkle Hospice House in Lexington surrounded by his family. Mr. Drye was born March 21, 1940 in Oakboro, North Carolina, a son of Mr. Brady Edgar and Mrs. Essie Mae Drye, both of whom preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was his sister, Dot Wingler. Mr. Drye spent his childhood years in the Oakboro area and later moved to Albemarle where he attended the city schools and graduated from Albemarle High School where he was appreciated for his quick wit and the ability to find humor in almost any situation. He carried those attributes with him for the remainder of his life. He was active in scouting with Boy Scout Troop 50 where he earned the Eagle Scout award. Upon graduation from high school, Mr. Drye enlisted in the U. S. Navy where he proudly served as a Second Class Petty Officer, IC2P2, for four years aboard the USS Hamul, a Destroyer Tender, stationed out of Long Beach, California. His Navy service took him to the Philippines, Hong Kong and Kowloon, China, Japan, the Pagan Islands, Okinawa, Formosa (now Taiwan), Mexico, and Hawaii before and after it was granted statehood. After his Naval discharge, Mr. Drye returned to Albemarle and on January 16, 1965 married his beautiful wife of 60 years, Yvonne Chandler Drye who was his loving companion for the remainder of his life. He was especially proud that Yvonne had dedicated her career to teaching business courses to students at Thomasville High school where she taught their three children. They moved to Thomasville where he was employed as the Practice Administrator for 37 years by Drs. Gray, Croom, Tester, & Harriss, a partnership of radiologists which later became High Point Radiological Services, P/A. He was recognized by those who knew him as an astute businessman and accomplished medical practice administrator. He designed and developed one of the first computerized practice management systems for physicians in the state. During that time, Mr. Drye also organized and founded The North Carolina Association of Radiological Business Managers and served as the first statewide President of the organization. He was also a member of The Radiological Business Management Association's national organization and The Medical Group Managers Association. Mr. Drye retired in 2006. He graduated from Guilford College where he was consistently a Dean’s List student with a BS degree in Management. He especially enjoyed traveling extensively with his beloved wife and family throughout the western states. Some of their favorite places to visit were Arches National Park in Utah, Monument Valley in Arizona, City of Rocks State Park, Taos pueblos, and Cimarron Gorge (all in New Mexico), Deadwood in South Dakota, Devil’s Tower, the Tetons, and Yellowstone (all in Wyoming). Sometimes there were 12-15 children and grandchildren that accompanied them on an “out west” trip. He also enjoyed visiting historical Civil War sites, museums, ghost towns, old forts and touring battlefields, especially Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, Little Bighorn in Montana, and Fort Davis in West Texas. He is survived by his beloved wife, Yvonne of the home, a son Tim Edward Drye, Jr. of Albemarle, a daughter, Bonnie Lovell and her husband, Gary Lovell of Trinity, and daughter, Dr. Sherrie Drye and her husband, David Anderson of Archdale. He leaves behind nine grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Derek Drye and his wife Katelyn Drye of Nashville, Tennessee, Dylan Drye and his wife Sarah of Thomasville, Levi Lovell and his wife Katie, of Greenville, North Carolina, Eva Lovell of Tampa, Florida, Annabel Cannoy of Brooklyn, New York, Tristan Cannoy of Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska, and their father, Jim Cannoy of Trinity, and Raymond Drye, Adam Drye, and Ethan Drye of Winston-Salem. Also surviving are his uncle James Clark and wife Joyce of St. Martinsburg, West Virginia, and niece, Tina McDonald and her husband Steve of Concord, as well as nephews Steve Miller and Mike Miller of Kansas. The funeral arrangements are entrusted to J. C. Green Funeral Home, Thomasville, North Carolina. The Celebration of Life services will be held on Tuesday, March 25 at 2pm at J.C. Green and Sons Funeral Home Chapel at 122 W. Main Street Thomasville. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 12:45-1:45pm at the funeral home. Officiating the service will be Pastor Wayne Chandler and Pastor Darrell Rabon. Interment and a military honor service will immediately follow at Holly Hill Cemetery in Thomasville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the National Park Foundation at give.nationalparks.org or to the Hinkle Hospice House of Davidson County

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