John Roland Pyron

John Roland Pyron died February 15, 2018. John was born July 9, 1926 to the late Clifford and Agnes McCachren Pyron he grew up in Charlotte, NC. John served in the US Navy in WWII from 1943 to 1946 in the Pacific seeing action in the battles of both Iwo Jima and Okinawa. His ship, the LST 808 was later sunk off the coast of Ie Shima prior to the end of the war. After WWII John then attended and graduated from UNC – Chapel Hill in 1950. John taught school and coached after graduation in both the Burlington, NC area and at Myers Park in Charlotte, NC before joining McLean Trucking Company in 1955. He worked there until 1963 when he joined Sea-Land Service. This was at the dawn of global containerized shipping. He grew in management responsibilities over his twenty seven (27) year career at Sea-Land lastly as Executive Vice President of the Pacific Division. He followed that at CSX as President of ISI. John also served on several Boards during his career as well. John was very active in his community and Church, especially when residing in Colts Neck, New Jersey. He had a passion for life and serving others. Upon retirement, John and his wife Suzie relocated back to North Carolina where they both were born and had roots, first to Lewisville, NC and finally to Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community in Asheville, NC. John leaves behind his wife Suzie, his four children and seven grandchildren – son John Jr. of Charlottesville, VA, his daughter Emma, wife Lisa – her two daughters Jennifer and Kimberley and three grandchildren; son Cliff of Savannah, GA, his wife Karen, their son Cliff Jr and wife Laura, and daughter Hannah; son Bill of Gettysburg, PA, his wife Susan, their two sons Wes and Sam; son Jud of Ocean Township, NJ and his two daughters Claire and Emily. His memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 19, 2018 at the Health Care Chapel of Deerfield with Rev. Richard “Lin” Walton officiating. A private burial will be held in West Memorial Park, Weaverville. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Deerfield Residency Program 1617 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803. West Funeral Home is assisting the family. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Pyron’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.