James Ley

James Terry Ley, 79, of 279 West Main Street, died Monday September 15, 2014 at his residence. He was born on March 21, 1935 in Danville, VA a son of the late James Dillard Ley and Mary Orgain Ley. Terry was a graduate of Fishburne Military Academy and attended Virginia Tech. He owned and operated J. D. Ley, Inc., Insurance and Real Estate for over 40 years until his retirement. He was a life-long member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church and had recently moved his membership to the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. Terry was a member and past-president of the German Club and the Young Men's Club. He was a 58 year Masonic veteran and was raised to the Master Mason's degree on August 6, 1956, in Roman Eagle Lodge No. 122, of Ancient Free and Accepted Freemasonry. He joined the Danville Scottish Rite Bodies in November 1956 and over the years participated in many degrees. He was elected to serve as the Venerable Master of the Danville Lodge of Perfection on January 14, 2012. He was named to the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, (KCCH) in October 2013. This honor recognizes well deserving thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Masons whose conduct, zeal and fidelity have made them faithful contributors to the well-being of Masonry. Only a limited number of Masons who have no less than 46 month as a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite member are elected by the Supreme Council of Washington, DC every other year. Terry was president of the Danville Shrine Club in 1963 and served as Divan of ACCA Temple Shrine from 1970 thru 1972. On February 1, 2012 he was appointed by the Sovereign Grand Inspector in Virginia to serve as Secretary of the Danville Scottish Rite Bodies, a job he held until September 9, 2014, when he resigned due to health reasons. Terry is survived by his wife, Delphine Boyer Ley of the home, two sons, James Dillard Ley, II (Angela) and James Terry Ley, Jr., two daughters, Terry Deane Ley Harris (Randy) and Elizabeth Ley Jefferies, all of Danville, five grandchildren, Blake Ley, Kristy Ley, Tyler Ley, Ann Heffinger (Mike) and Robert Jefferies, three great-grandchildren, Carter Heffinger, Parker Heffinger and Summer Jefferies. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at Townes Funeral Home from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Burial will be private. The family requests the omission of flowers. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605 or to your favorite charity.