George W. Lyles Jr.

George Washington Lyles, Jr. died on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at High Point Regional Hospital. His legacy suggests a significant record of achievement touching his family, friends, business, and community with state and national acclaim.
Mr. Lyles was born on November 1, 1919, in Charlotte, NC, the only son of George Washington Lyles, Sr. and Mamie Lee Porter Lyles, both of whom are deceased. His only sibling wasEvelyn Lyles VanLandingham, who also predeceased him.
As a youth, he lived and received his education in Thomasville, NC where his father established one of the early Ford automobile dealerships. Mr. Lyles graduated from Thomasville High School,attended the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN. He received a Congressional Appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He chose to go to Duke University graduating in 1941. At McCallie he participated in athletics, receiving letters in football, soccer and golf. At Duke he was a member of Phi Delta Theta National Fraternity, while he majored in business administration, receiving his B.S. degree and Naval Commission.
On his birthday in 1941, he married Nancy Jane Lineberger of Shelby, NC who survives of the home. Also surviving are a son, George "Skip" Washington Lyles, III, and wife, Sally of Las Vegas, NV; two daughters, Nan Lyles Kester and husband, Robert "Buck" L. Kester, Lee Lyles Webster and husband, G. Alfred Webster, all of High Point, NC. His grandchildren are Elizabeth Lyles, Emily Rowe (Danny), Edi Redmond (Jimmy), Nancy Jane Brewer (Darren), Sherrill Dempsey (Trey), Robert Kester Jr., George Webster and fiance Mindy Mitchell, John Webster (Erin)and Lyles Webster, Also surviving are five great-grandchildren.
Mr. Lyles served his country during World War II, when he entered the U.S. Navy. He was a commissioned officer and held the rank of Lieutenant Commander at the age of 25, serving until 1946 on active duty and then later in the Naval Reserve. After leaving active duty, he returned to High Point and joinedhis father in Lyles Chevrolet Co. that was established in 1926. After his father's retirement and death, Mr. Lyles led this dealership to become one of the leaders in the industry, while receiving wide recognition and notoriety for his tireless efforts in the automobile industry. His leadership ranged from President of the High Point Automobile Dealers Association, Presidentof the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association. And the prestigious position of President of the National Automobile Dealers Association. Through Transco, Inc., he also established a Rolls Royce and Bentley dealership in High Point in 1963.
As one of High Point's recognized business leaders, his skill and acumen either touched or initiated many of our City's long-time establishments. Mr. Lyles was a charter member and President of the String and Splinter Club; one of the originators of Hatteras Yacht Co. and first Treasurer, a charter member and first President of Willow Creek Golf Club (now a part of High Point Country Club); He was an original investor and owner of Market Square Partners. He was founder of The Country Club of North Carolina and served on its board.
In his community, Mr. Lyles made significant contributions with his service as President or Chairman of the High Point Chamber of Commerce, High Point Rotary Club, Community Chest (now United Way), High Point Country Club, and First Federal Savings and Loan (now BB&T). He served on the Board of Directors of Wachovia Bank and Trust and Bassett Furniture Industries.
During all of his civic activities, he also served in many capacities for his church, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. In these endeavors, he served as chairman of the Official Board of Stewardship. He was also active in the building program for the church in a $3 million campaign, and had served on its Building Committee as a permanent member.
He was recognized as the Junior Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 1954 and was named as the High Point Enterprise "High Pointer of the Week" for his many civic and business endeavors.
In the area of industrial development, Mr. Lyles served as a permanent member of the Three-Cities Development Committee, which eventually led to the formationof the Piedmont Triad Partnership. He also was selected by then Governor Luther H. Hodges to accompany the governor and several key business leaders on an industry development tour for North Carolina in many European countries in 1959. In 1964 he received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Governor Terry Sanford Also in 1983 he received the Governor's Award for distinguished service to the citizen of North Carolina. In 2004 Mr. Lyles was awarded the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, by Dr. Charles W. Wilson, II and visitation with the family will be after the service in the Asbury Room.
Memorials may be directed to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1225 Chestnut Dr., High Point NC 27262 or to High Point RegionalHealth Systems Endowment, P.O. Box HP-5, High Point, NC 27261.
Sechrest Funeral Service on East Lexington Ave. is serving the family.