Herman Brinkley

March 8, 1932 - March 6, 2014 Herman Brinkley of Mooresville passed away March 6, 2014 at the age of 81. He was born on March 8, 1932 in Henderson NC, the only son of Veronica Blizzard and Herman Joseph Brinkley. His family was poor, and they moved often, following any jobs they could find from Clayton to Wilmington. At the age of 17, Herman joined the army and was sent to Korea as part of the 3rd Infantry Medical Battalion. He survived the failed invasion of the North Korean Beaches, Chosin Reservoir, and the bitter sub-zero temperatures overseas. Upon his return to Goldsboro, he sold Olan Mills vouchers door to door. One hot day a very pretty young lady, Gay Crews, offered him a glass of tea on the porch. He fell in love with her and they were wed about a year later on December 23, 1954. They had four children together: Danny Brinkley, Jan Brinkley, Steve Brinkley, and Darrell who passed away as an infant. He worked at Southern Screw in Statesville until his retirement. His will was iron, his temper hot, his heart tender, and his humor abundant. He was frank and brutal in his honesty, and socially ungraceful but refreshing. In death, he joins his beloved wife of 57 years, Gay Crews Brinkley; their son, Darrell; his sisters, Doris Baker, Etta Bowen, and Sylvia Rose; and their parents. His memory lives on in the hearts of his surviving children, sons Danny Brinkley and Stephanie of Scottville, and Victor Stephen Brinkley of Charlotte; daughter, Jan Brinkley of Mooresville; grandchildren, Shiloh Jones Holland, Jessica Maria Brinkley, James Lee Brinkley and Christopher William Brinkley; and great grandchildren, Skye and Triston Briggs. The family will meet in the Troutman Funeral Home Chapel at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2014 and proceed to Mimosa Cemetery in Davidson for a 1:00 p.m. graveside service with the Rev. David Troutman officiating. Pallbearers will be Christopher, Jamie and Daniel Brinkley, Todd Bailey, Tristan Briggs, and Zachery Hargenrader. Memorials may be made to Fallstown Baptist Church, 242 State Park Rd., Troutman, NC 28166.