Timothy Griffith Havey

            Timothy Griffith Havey, 78, of Taylorsville, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at home. A memorial will be held at Adams Funeral Home on August 24 at 2 p.m., 307 Main Ave, Taylorsville, NC. Tim suffered from serious orthopedic and coronary issues for many years and valiantly fought cancer during the past two years. 

Tim was born February 25t,1941 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Farrell Fisher Havey and Mary Griffith Havey. He graduated from Shortridge High School in 1959 and Indiana University in 1963. Tim began his serious marksmanship competition as an undergraduate, earning a varsity letter as a member of the Indiana rifle team.  He entered graduate school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall of 1963 and remained a Tar Heel forever, although he remained close to his Hoosier roots, particularly his mother’s home in Switzerland County. Tim served in the United States Army from 1965-1967 after which he returned to Chapel Hill.  

He worked for the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina for twenty years before being forced into retirement due to injuries sustained in an accident. Tim had worked in the Durham office for his entire career, retiring as Assistant Manager.  He was much beloved by his co-workers and was honored by being inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. 

Tim and his wife, Marilyn Ruth Somers, moved to Alexander County in 2015.  Marilyn graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College and took her first job with the Caldwell County Department of Social Services before she moved to the Triangle Area, where she and Tim met.  Serious health issues led her to return to this area which she had loved so much. Marilyn passed away in 2016. 

Tim was a man of parts.  He was a sculptor, calligrapher, numismatist and military historian and woodcarver.  His abiding interest was target shooting. He was a member and officer of the Durham Rifle and Pistol club for several decades and became a Master Class pistol shooter.  He was awarded the title of Distinguished Pistol Shooter with the United States Military Service Pistol. He volunteered as a Range Assistant at the U. S. National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio for many years.  He was a Benefactor Life Member of the National Rifle Association and mentored many beginning and experienced shooters.  

But Tim will be remembered best by his friends and family for his wonderful and kind spirit, consideration for others, and his sense of humor, which often took the form of self-deprecation and an appreciation of life’s absurdities.

Tim grew up and was confirmed in the Presbyterian Church and enjoyed visits to Taylorsville Presbyterian.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Judy Havey. He is survived by his niece, Catarina Havey Hosler, grandniece Chance Hosler, and grandnephew James Hosler, all of Santa Cruz, California.

Condolences may be sent to: www.adamsfunerals.com.

Adams Funeral Home and cremation services is serving the Havey Family.

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