Bobby Larry Pickrel

Bobby Larry Pickrel, 78, of Kannapolis, NC passed from this life Tuesday August 14, 2018 at Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis. Born in Kannapolis on December 18, 1939 to the late Lester J. Pickrel and Mildred McDaniel Pickrel.

Larry was a graduate of A.L. Brown High School class of 1958, was a United States Army Veteran, worked at Cannon Mills and also in furniture sales from Kannapolis, NC to Chattanooga, TN. Coming out of the military in 1965 he even tried out for the Atlanta Falcons and did very well but ultimately said it was a game for younger men.

Larry enjoyed working out at the Cannon YMCA where he was a member for most of his 78 years. Growing up in a two-room mill house in Kannapolis he once said that “Life was different when the mill was around here, so I spent a lot of my free time going to the Y”. He also enjoyed spending time “out in the country” taking care of and playing with his little dog Chester. He was a member of Bethel Wesleyan Church in Kannapolis and enjoyed listening to and learning about scripture from Dr. David Jeremiah when he could no longer attend church.

Surviving is a son Larry Scot Wendelken (Pennie) of Pickens, SC, three granddaughters Abbie, Amalie, and Andie Marie Wendelken, a brother Jerry Pickrel (Carol) of Troutman, NC. Two nieces Lisa Fowler, and Rachel Shelton, three wonderful aunts Rose Smith of Gastonia, NC, Henrietta Tallardy of Salisbury, NC, and Barbara Shoemaker of China Grove, NC. In addition Larry had many cousins and friends who will miss his great smile and companionship. Also a really special cousin and friend Rick Shoemaker who was always there for him and assisted him through some of his hardest days.

Graveside Service: 2:00pm Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at Salisbury National Cemetery with Pastor Joseph Harding Jr. officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Lyerly Volunteer Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Bethel Wesleyan Church 4036 Old Salisbury-Concord Rd, Kannapolis, NC 28083.

Lyerly Funeral Home is serving the Pickrel family. Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bobby Larry Pickrel, please visit our floral store.