John Essick, Jr.

John Dewitt Essick, Jr., 85, of Ridge Road, Lexington, died Saturday at his home. A funeral service will be held at 4:00 PM Tuesday at Pilgrim Reformed Church, officiated by the Revs. Barry Surratt, George Fidler, and Rosser Clapp. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Mr. Essick was born June 25, 1922 in Davidson County to John Dewitt Essick Sr. and Nora Belle Mendenhall Essick. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving during World War II, from October 1942 until January 1946, chiefly in the Pacific Theater in the I & R unit. He retired from Thomasville Furniture Industries He was a member of the Men’s Bible Class at his church and had served as a Deacon. His parents, his brothers: Joe Essick, Robert Essick, and Willie Essick, and his sisters: Clara Darr, Mildred Willard and Ina Ward, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Vada Bowers Essick of the home; his son, Roger Dale Essick, of Lexington; his daughter, Vicki Essick Lemly, and husband, Calvin, of Lexington; his grandchildren: Tammy Lemly and Calvin Eugene “Gene” Lemly, Jr.; his great grandchildren: Lauren, Dylan, Selenia, and Whitney Lemly; a brother, Rillie Essick and his wife, Iretha, of Jamestown, and a brother in law, Connie Darr of Lexington. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Monday at Davidson Funeral Home and other times at the home or the home of the daughter, 1330 Ridge Road, Lexington. Memorials may be made to Pilgrim Reformed Church, 797 Pilgrim Church Road, Lexington NC 27295.