George Buck Lyda

George A. ìBuckî Lyda, 88, a lifelong resident of Henderson County, died Sunday, October 24, 2010 at the Laurels of Hendersonville.

Mr. Buck was the son of the late Gay T. Lyda, Sr. and Beatrice Brown Lyda, and husband of Edna Green Lyda who died in 1992. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, J. Earl Lyda and Gay T. Lyda, Jr., and sisters, Kathryn Wyatt and Willie Ruth Thompson.

He was a graduate of Edneyville High School and served in the US Army 808th Tank Destroyer Battalion in the European Theater during World War II. He was a Purple Heart recipient and met General George S. Patton personally.

Following Mr. Lyda’s return from military service, he returned to Edneyville High School and taught Agriculture there. He was a Henderson County Apple Grower who owned Apple Haven Orchards. He was a member of the WNC Apple Growers Co-Op. He served on the ASCS Committee for forty-four years and held the position of Chairman of the Board. He was a member of the Henderson County Rescue Squad and past member of the Edneyville Volunteer Fire Department. He was a proud participant in the Honor Air Veteransí trip to Washington, DC.

He was a member of St. Paulís Episcopal Church in Edneyville. He loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed the many friends who shared that time with him.

He is survived by his beloved family, his children, Sandra Lyda Perine (Ron); Donna Lyda Bedsole (Morris); and Eddie A. Lyda; seven grandchildren, Scott Case, Tommy Starling, Brandon Starling, Brian Lyda, Melanie Strickland, Brittney Lyda and Celena Jones; ten great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2 PM Thursday, October 28, 2010 at St. Paulís Episcopal Church. The Reverends Harriet Shands and Harold McKinnish will officiate. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from

7 ñ 9 PM Wednesday at Shuler Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank Park Ridge Hospital and the staff of the Laurelís for everything they did for their Dad.