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BORN
1952
DIED
2021
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Roy Icard Obituary
November 17, 1952 - November 27, 2021
The Rev. Dr. Roy Lester "R.L." Icard, 69, of Valdese, passed away Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, following a brief illness.
R.L. was born Nov. 17, 1952, in Burke County, to the late John Henry Icard and Beulah Cranford Icard.
He was a longtime pastor and community leader, known for his servant's heart, compassion, kindness, generosity, and love of Jesus. R.L. began his journey at Briary Union Church in Eubank, Ky., from there onto Christ United Methodist Church in Drexel, to the Evangelical Methodist Church of Elizabeth City, to Associate Pastor of Crosslink Church in Rutherford College, and most recently became the Pastor at Arney's Fairview U.M.C. in Morganton. He was also the retired executive director of the Foothills Service Project, which he cofounded with James Ratliff, who he saw as a brother, served currently on the Burke County School Board, and pastored a church at the Burke Mission Station Soup Kitchen. R.L. enjoyed hunting and fishing with his nephews, as well as cooking and BBQing, especially for the annual veteran's fish fry. He loved his community well, and was an amazing man, husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Wiley Icard.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Penny Wilson Icard of the home; daughter, April Icard of Hickory; two sisters, Altha Newton of George Hildebran, and Janet Stacey of Connelly Springs; one brother, Henley Icard and wife, Linda, of Hendersonville; sister-in-law, Margaret Dixon; sister-in-law, Sonnie Wilson Cook and husband, Dr. Charles Cook; and honorary son, Scotty Donnelly. Also surviving are a number of nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly: Jeff Newton and wife, Dawn, Mike Newton and wife, Kathy, Angie Poteat and husband, Andrew, Barbara Oswald, Pattie Baker, Karen Jones and husband, Buster, David Icard and wife, Brandy, Henley Wayne Icard, Samantha Icard, Dawna Blackburn and husband, Kevin, Monica Mauney and husband, Marshall, and Amanda Daiber and husband, Marcus; great-nieces and -nephews, Robert Jones, Jerry Jones, Amanda and Matt Wheeler, Brittany and Jacob Brittain, Leah and James Ashe, Caroline Oswald, Josiah Oswald, Ariel Poteat, Kaleb and Kalleigh Blackburn, Soren and Ana Daiber, Sarah and Trey McKee, Margie, Rachel and Will Mauney. R.L. also had many extended family and friends, who he loved and lives he impacted through the years.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, Dec. 3, at 5 p.m., at Crosslink Church in Rutherford College. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 3, at Crosslink.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Foothills Service Project, P.O. Box 86, Rutherford College, NC 28671.
www.heritagefuneralservices.com
Memories and Condolences
for Roy Icard
Sponsored by Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory - Valdese.
Aaron Kohrs
December 9, 2021
R.L. was a gem and so good, gracious to all. A true public and community servant!
Jeanine Barus
December 2, 2021
Heaven has gained a hard working angel who can now rest at the feet of Jesus. He was a great friend, confidant and boss. Prayers for comfort to Penny and April and the family. He was loved my so many and his legacy will live on.
Jeanine Barus
December 2, 2021
Heaven has gained a hard working angel who can now rest at the feet of Jesus. He was a great friend, confidant and boss. Prayers for comfort to Penny and April and the family. He was loved my so many and his legacy will live on.
Denise Hilton
December 2, 2021
I am very sorry to hear of RL's passing. I will always remember his good humor and his good works. Thoughts and prayers to the whole family.
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Ron and Linda Annas
December 2, 2021
Sorry to hear about RL's passing. I went to school with Penny and we were at WCU with both RL and Penny. RL was a memorable soul and will be missed.
Lesa Lackey
December 2, 2021
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
John and Diane Huffman
December 1, 2021
Thoughts and prayers for RL's family, friends, and co-workers. He was such a precious man of God. We were always blessed to hear him preach. He made things so real. He will be greatly missed. But we have the assurance of seeing him again in the sweet by and by. Love and prayers to Penny, Altha and family.
Linda Vitsyn
December 1, 2021
R. L. was a guiding light of human compassion, always striving to improve the lives of everyone, especially through his advocacy and work for the elderly.
Jason Newton
November 30, 2021
Penny and April I'm so sorry to hear that Uncle RL had passed away Saturday and he touched so many people and he was my best friend and like a second dad to me and we was hunting buddies he is will be missed forever and ever
Linda Cranford James and Pauline Cranford Family
November 30, 2021
Our prayers are with your family as we all remember RL with fond memories may God go with you all
Johnny and Mavis Barlowe
November 30, 2021
Penny and April,
We love you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We have cherished memories of all of us attending Lenoir Community Church.
Johnny and Mavis Barlowe
November 30, 2021
Penny and April,
We love you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We have great memories of all us attending Lenoir Community Church.
Cade Huffman
November 30, 2021
It seems like it was only yesterday that RL and I were playing football in high school. That alone tells us that our time on earth is surely fleeting. RL's life shows us how God would would take great pleasure in how we make the best of our time. Well done RL !! I'll be seeing you again by and by my friend !
Adrianne Pool
November 30, 2021
I throughly enjoyed getting to know R L through Performance Foodservice when he would come to pick up items for the service project and fish fry. He was so sweet and kind and a pleasure to get to know. I will miss seeing him
Mae Carr & family
November 30, 2021
We send our love & sincere sympathy. Our hearts are broken for you & wish we could be there with you. We have been friends for a long time & been through a lot together. A lot we don't understand, but God does & He doesn't make any mistakes. You are always in my thoughts & prayers. ❤
Mary Bellinger
November 29, 2021
Thoughts and prayers are with R. L's family and friends. He was a GOOD man and we will miss him.
Tim and Julia Colvard
November 29, 2021
RL will be greatly missed. He always tried to put a smile on your face and cared deeply about helping others. We have suffered a great loss in his passing, but heaven has has a great gain in his homecoming.
Pam Turner
November 29, 2021
Penny and April,
Nothing I say will take the pain away. He will be missed by many people. My prayers are with you. Your family has always been special to me.
Love you,
Pam Cole Turner
Pam Turner
November 29, 2021
Penny and April,
Nothing I say will take the pain away. He will be missed by many people. My prayers are with you. Your family has always been special to me.
Love you,
Pam ColeTurner
MaryEllen Moore
November 29, 2021
GOD CALLED ANOTHER ONE OF HIS ANGELS HOME. RL WAS ONE OF A KIND & A BLESSING TO MANY I ENJOYED ATTENDING MEETINGS WITH HIM HE WLL BE MISSED DEARLY PRAYERS TO HIS FAMILY
IN PEACE
MARY ELLEN MOORE RN BSN
Michael Queen
November 29, 2021
Oh What a blessing it has been to know and work with RL for over 25 years. He's been a servant for so many and always a servant to God! Our relationship goes way back - and my respect for the man has only grown over those years.
He has been a blessing to me personally, to my family and to my business. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Penny and April during this difficult time.
RL, Your kindness, your hard work and your Love for your fellow man will be missed
Evangeline Gober
November 29, 2021
Dearest Penny and April, my heart is breaking for you. RL will be sorely missed by us all. I have so many fond memories of our time together across the years. I think he was 12 years of age when we moved to Connelly Springs in 1964, and he was the janitor at the church. A number of years later he became Bob’s Associate at Crosslink. He was a loving, caring man who loved and served people well. I regret that I am out of town and will be unable to attend the service on Friday, but you will be in my thoughts and prayers. May God hold you close to His heart and give you comfort, strength, and peace today and in the difficult days ahead. Hugs to you both. Sending much and many prayers, Vangie. ♥
Candace Lowman Cox
November 29, 2021
To the family left behind, may you draw strength from the knowledge that RL led his life so there was no question that he served a loving God.
May you rest in the knowledge that you will be together again in heaven.
Prayers of comfort as you transition through this difficult time.
Rita Bowman
November 28, 2021
So sorry to hear of RL's passing. He was an inspiration to many of a Christian man living a Christian life. Always caring, loving & kind to all. May the Lord bring you peace & may your memories of this good man bring you comfort
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