Athol Gray Jefferson

Athol Gray Jefferson age 83 of Midway passed away Monday, November 24, 2014 at Universal Health Care of King. A funeral Service will be held 2:00 pm Friday, November 28, 2014 at Davidson Funeral Home, Hickory Tree Chapel with Dr. Mike Simpson. Burial will follow to Forsyth Memorial Park with Military Honors. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Athol served in the Korean War. He also traveled to 49 states and abroad with the field force with AT&T(formerly Western Electric). He married Nan Alice Kirby on Nov. 25, 1950. In their early married years, they bred and showed Pomeranians. At one time, they had 7 poms. Athol was very involved in his childrens’ lives. He coached his son’s little league baseball team even though he had never played baseball. He never missed a game at the Tiny Viking football field or at North Forsyth High School. He was an avid photographer and never missed an important picture taken from the sidelines. Athol loved to cook. Period. There are many neighbors and neighborhood kids that have enjoyed his homemade bread and homemade pizza. He looked forward to making Christmas breakfast for his family and extended family every year. He even cooked for the enrichment program campers for several summers at William B. Umstead State State Park in Raleigh. Athol loved to camp. He took his family camping whenever he could when he was younger. They spent many summers at Pirateland Campground in Myrtle Beach and many Easters at Bandits Roost in North Wilkesboro. After retirement from AT&T in 1987, Athol was a tool demonstrator for SKIL BOSCH. There was not a tool or gadget he did not know how to use. Later, he and Nan grew and sold African Violets at the Winston-Salem Farmers Market and the Super Flea Market in Greensboro. He was an avid fisherman and loved nothing better than fishing from Apache pier or in the surf. In addition, he was a master woodworker. He spent many hours in his workshop turning wooden bowls and figurines. Athol was present for the birth of every grandchild. He loved being with them and was very proud of all of them. He especially enjoyed, later in his life, visiting with his youngest granddaughter Reese on Sunday afternoons. Athol was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Raleigh and Ruth Reich Jefferson and his sister, Jeanne Jefferson Carter. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nan Kirby Jefferson, his son, Philip (Robyn), his daughter Allison (Steve) and five granddaughters: Laura Ann, Caroline, Meredith, Reese and Brenna. In addition, he is survived by nieces Sara Carter Gentle (Greg) and Joyce Reich Carter. Family and friends are invited back to his son’s home after the graveside service. Davidson Funeral Home, Hickory Tree Chapel is assisting the family.