Phillip Eugene Tingler

Phillip Eugene (Gene) Tingler, 78, of Troutville, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. He was born November 23, 1933 in Covington, Va. to Ted and Irene Tingler. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Ann Landis; and a brother-in-law, Luther "Tolley" Fridley.
Gene was a graduate of Covington High School and served as a sharpshooter in the United States Army. He had been a resident and business man in the Roanoke area since 1958. Gene was an employee of Harvest Ford in Salem where he was their top salesman for 18 consecutive months. Later in his career he had his own company selling classic Mustangs and high performance automobiles, as well as working as a licensed realtor. His interest in high performance autos grew from his love of racing. He was the driver of a race car called "Gone with the Wind" a 1957 Ford which set a NHRA world record at the Bristol Spring Nationals in 1965. He was an avid NASCAR fan whose favorite driver was Kyle Busch.
A man of many interests and talents, he was a master hunter of white tails and spring gobblers, a master story teller, and always the life of the party at family gatherings. He was always encouraging others to serve the Lord and he himself served as a Deacon at his church, Zion Assembly Church of God in Roanoke, and served his denomination as a financial and property committee member at the churches national headquarters in Cleveland, Tenn.
Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Ruth Messer Tingler; son, Eugene Allen Tingler and wife, Beverly, of Greensboro; grandchildren, Phillip Allen Tingler and wife, Hope, Matthew Aaron Tingler and wife, Lesiley, Chelsey Watts and husband, Josh, Ethan Tingler, Chastin Akers, and Samantha Tingler; great- grandchildren, Morgan and McKayla Tingler; sister, Wanda Fridley, of Troutville; brother, Jerry Tingler and wife, Kay, of Missouri; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Henry H. Messer and wife, Ruby, Charles L. Messer and wife, Linda, Gordon Butcher and wife, Lois, and Tommy Austin and wife, Phyllis; numerous nieces and nephews; and his best buddy, Dutchie.
Funeral Services will be conducted at noon on Saturday, February 25, 2012, at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road by Bishops William Jones (the state overseer of Virginia and Maryland for the Zion Assembly Church of God), Wade Phillips (International and National Presiding Bishop of the Zion Assembly Church of God), and Lanny Carter (director of the United States Home Missions). Interment will follow in Lone Star Cemetery in Covington. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2012, at Simpson Funeral Home, 540-366-0707.