Harry W. Tolley, Sr. of Black Mountain, son of the late Grace and Frank Tolley, died Monday, May 9. He was a proud native and, virtually, a lifelong resident of the Mountains, having been born in Woodfin in 1931. He was a graduate of Woodfin High School, Asheville-Biltmore College and Clemson University. A Navy veteran of the Korean War, he was a naval flight training base firefighter (“Hot Papa”) at Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia. A certified nursing home administrator (NHA), he owned and operated Dogwood Manor Rest Home in Black Mountain and Hillside Nursing Home in Asheville, retiring in 1995. He is remembered for his compassionate care-giving and was known for treating his employees and the residents of the homes with respect and dignity.
In 1984, he founded Black Mountain Machine Company with his four older sons, serving as president and guiding hand to that business until his death. His greatest pleasure was in working with “the boys”, taking special pride in the fact that several of his grandchildren followed their fathers into the business and he was very proud that each of his family members came to love Clemson Tiger football almost as much as he did.
An ordained deacon, Harry had served as a Sunday School teacher, chair of the board of deacons and as a member of many other committees and boards, first at Ridgecrest Baptist and then at First Baptist Church in Black Mountain.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Arberta Floyd Tolley; and his siblings, Frank Jr., Katheryn and Kermit.
He is survived by his sons from his first marriage, Roland (Carolyn), James, Samuel (Joan), and Robert (Teri). He is also survived by his wife of 46 years, Carolyn Waldrop Tolley; their son, Dr. Harry Tolley, Jr. (Amy) of Atlanta; 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
A celebration of Harry’s life will be held Thursday, May 12, at First Baptist Church in Black Mountain at 11:00 am. The Rev. Jack Gassaway will conduct the service with Dr. Melissa Tolley, Samuel Tolley, Dr. Harry Tolley Jr., and lifelong friend Richard Israel speaking. He was a proud Navy veteran and will be interred at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. Grandsons Sammy, Jacob, Joey, Jonathan, Joshua, and Nicolas Tolley will serve as pallbearers.