Bayne Wesley Lefler Jr.

Bayne Wesley Lefler Jr. passed away peacefully Saturday, June 16, 2018 surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.

A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, June 21, 2018 at Cold Springs United Methodist Church, 2550 Cold Springs Road East, Concord.  A private graveside service at Cold Springs will follow. Services will be officiated by the Rev. Alan Thompson. The family will receive friends at Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Wes, 89, was born in Como, NC.  He was the eldest son of Rev. Bayne Wesley Lefler, who emerged from his family church of Cold Springs to begin ministry, and Lenna Hartsell Lefler. Wes was married to Charlotte Norman Lefler. Wes graduated from North Brook High School in Cherryville.  He attended Duke University graduating in 1954 with a BA in English minoring in Religion and Philosophy. He attended graduate school at UNC Chapel Hill.  Wes honorably served in the US Air Force from 1954-1958 in Nevada and Alaska. He began his journalism career as the Editor of the Lincoln Times News and the Newton Observer News Enterprise. He later became a research writer for Duke University and went on to become the Director of the University News Bureau, University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill for 20 years retiring in 1990. In 2015, Wes was recognized by the North Carolina Press Association with honorary membership for his distinguished service and support of North Carolina’s newspapers.  With a love of writing and nature, Wes became a nationally recognized author with frequently published articles in outdoor magazines. He was also the author of a soon-to-be published book of untold stories from communities surrounding Lake Lure. Following retirement, Wes also served as the Editor for Desert Dust, the Oasis Shiners newspaper, for nearly a decade, supporting the organization’s efforts to provide quality care to children with burn injuries and other special health care needs. Wes was regarded as a knowledgeable asset in the church community serving as Editor of Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church History. A world traveler and cowboy at heart, Wes had many hobbies from hunting to photography to story telling. He loved the mountains, animals, children, humor, country western music, fun times and cloudy days.  But what he loved most was his family-his wife and high school sweetheart, his three daughters, grandchildren, great grandchild and nieces and nephews-all who adored him.  He was blessed by many dear friends.

Wes is survived by his wife, Charlotte Norman Lefler, daughters Lydia Miller Hoffner, Lisa Santos Farley and Lynda Lefler, granddaughters Jennifer Gamertsfelder and Sierra Joy Santos, grandsons Joseph Wesley Santos and Justin Hoffner; and great grandson Jackson Gamertsfelder, and his brother John C. Lefler.

Memorials may be directed to the Cold Springs United Methodist Church Prayer Steeple Fund or Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Lefler family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com