James W. Red Hoyle
July 28, 1915 ~ February 20, 2015
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
James William "Red" Hoyle, 99, died Friday, February 20, 2015.
Born July 28, 1915, in Asheville, he was a son of the late Walter and Loretta Hoyle. He attended the Montford School, David Millard School, and graduated from Asheville High School, lettering in football, baseball, basketball, and track. He also served as Senior Class President.
At 9 years old, Red began selling the "State Edition" newspaper distributed by the Asheville Citizen Times. He would run errands for the Asheville Fire Department across the street; one day the Chief bought 70 new uniforms and had one made in a small for Red, and he became a mascot for the Asheville Fire Department.
He went on to work for Pinners Drug Store, the Clark Fowler Sign Company, and then the Beech Nut Chewing Gum Company, where he met a beautiful young lady, Christine Green, who became his wife in 1937. Happily married for 78 years, they had four children, Walter Sherman "Mickey" Hoyle, J.W. Hoyle, Jr., Thomas Wesley Hoyle, and Kathy Lynn Hoyle.
When the war came in 1941, Red was hired by the Asheville Fire Dept. to drive the fire truck. He volunteered for the Army in 1943, as experienced truck drivers were needed at Camp Croft and at Camp Glen Moore.
In 1945, Red opened the Asheville Typewriter Company, which later became Hoyle Office Supply in 1955. All four children and his wife worked in the business. Now under the direction of Red's daughter, Kathy, Hoyle Office Solutions is celebrating it's 70th year in business. The Hoyle family wishes to thank the current staff and former employees of Hoyle Office Supply for their dedication and outstanding service. Your efforts made Red smile, as "taking care of the customer" was his creed.
Red was a member of many community organizations, including: the Lions Club, where he was Past-President as well as District Governor; the Asheville Chamber of Commerce since the early 1950's; the Asheville Merchants Association, serving as president during the 70's and as Parade Chairman for several years; the Asheville Speakers Breakfast Club; founder of Crime Stoppers in Asheville; and organizer of the Junior Chamber of Commerce (JC's).
He belonged to Boy Scout Troop #7, went on to become Scout Master and then commissioner of the Scout Troop. He coached many teams at the YMCA, the Oakley School, and the Asheville Lions Softball team.
A lifelong Democrat, Red served on Asheville City Council from 1970-1978. Red loved Asheville and WNC and leaves a legacy of community service. In 2005, the Governor of NC bestowed upon Red the Order of Long Leaf Pine, which recognizes distinguished North Carolinians for community service to the State.
Red joined First Baptist Church in 1938, where he served as Sunday school teacher as well as a deacon. He also belonged to the Masonic Temple.
Red is survived by his wife, Christine Greene Hoyle; daughter, Kathy L. Hoyle of Asheville; sons, James W. Hoyle, Jr. and his wife, Aileen, of Asheville and Thomas W. Hoyle and his wife, Lesley, of Asheville; six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Walter S. "Mickey" Hoyle, who died in 2013, a brother, Frank Hoyle, and two sisters, Grace Childress and Edna Adams.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Monday at First Baptist Church of Asheville, with the Rev. David Blackmon and the Rev. Dr. Ralph Sexton, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at Lewis Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends at the church from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 Monday prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Eliada Homes, PO Box 16708, Asheville, NC 28816; YMCA, 30 Woodfin Street, Asheville, NC 28801 or to a charity of your choice.
The family offers sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff at WNC Baptist Retirement Home for their many years of loving care. They also thank the Out 'n About Mobile Transportation for their service to Red.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family,
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Martha Ann and Larry Gilbert sends our prayers and thoughts to you. God will take care of you during this time just look above for comfort.
Our love and condolences to the family. Red was a very special man, who would light up a room where ever he was. He will be greatly missed by so many, especially Kathy. RIP Red!
Edna Blanton & Kay Davis
our prayers are with you, Kathy & Melissa. You were so blessed to have such an amazing man in your lives.
We love you,
Ruby & Chuck Firmin
My Dad, George Bell, and I were owners of Bell Hosiery Mill in Spruce Pine, when Red was Hoyle Office Supplies. He was one of the finest men I’ve ever known, full of fun. I remember when he bought the first Edsel I ever saw. It was bright red. I’ll never forget how he grinned when he drove up in that bright red car. Rest in Peace, Red. Betty Bell Stafford
Remebering, Red, from BBQ INN, loved Red, He was precious, very fine Man. Thinking and Praying for His Family, You all will see Him again.
When Red was a City Councilman – he helped me fill out the paperwork for me to become a notary for my job (had to have an elected official) – he was friends with my boss – and a joy – all my life – our paths would cross – and he and I would talk – and I would always get a packet of that lotion that he carried around in his pocket – or candy – I loved Red Hoyle – and his son Mickey Hoyle and Kathy (Mikey’s wife) back in the days of us having him do our office supplies for the construction/engineering firm that I worked at on Broad Street. RIP dear sir – Asheville will surely miss you –
OUR SINCERE AND PROFOUND SYMPATHY TO CHRITINE AND THE ENTIRE
FAMILY !! Esther AND I HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES WITH ‘ RED ‘ AND
CHRISTINE OVER THE YEARS !! MANY WERE AT LIONS CLUBS ACTIVITIES !!
OUR BEST WISHES TO ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lacy
Mrs. Hoyle, Kathy, Tommy and the rest of the Hoyle Family. Our prayers are with you all. They say what a man leaves behind is his legacy. ‘Red’ is a man who will never be forgotten and his great name lives on through each of you. I know the next days, weeks and months will not be easy, but I pray the arms of God will wrap around each of you and hold you tight. Just know you are loved and you can draw comfort to know ‘Red’ is not gone from us forever, but has just moved onto another challenge in life and one day we will see his smile again. I am sure all of heaven welcomed home such a Godly servant who served not only his Lord, but his family, friends and community.
So very sorry for your loss, praying the love of God will be with you and your family now and in the days to come .
Melissa, Kathy, Mrs. Hoyle and family, you have my heartfelt sympathy, love and prayers. So sad to lose one who spread smiles, joy and sunshine every where he went. He will be missed by many. What a blessing and priveledge to have known him. May God wrap loving arms around you as you all are touched by the loss of one so dear.
John and Sue Olesiuk express our heartfelt sympathies to the all of Mr. Hoyle’s family. May God bless you and keep you in His care.
Sorry to hear about the passing of your dad Jimmy and Aileen. God Bless!
Barbara and I express our sympathy to Christine and the Hoyle family. We all live in a better place because of all the good things he did for W.N.C. He always had a smile and something nice to say. I remember the Sanctimonious 7, Red, Dr. Harold Ligon, Leo Finkelstein, Jack Cole & Alice and the joy they brought to many with their band. Thank you Red for being a friend.
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time.
It was such a treat for me to meet and talk with Red at his store a few years ago – he was indeed an Asheville Icon.
We are so very sorry for your loss, it was with pleasure to have met a man with such a beautiful outlook on life. Your family have our heartfelt sympathy.
Mr. Hoyle will be greatly missed. The family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Christy & Teresa Hyundai of Asheville
Kathy,
We are truly sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our hearts and prayers.
Donna and GOPD Team
Kathy and family, I knew your Grandfather and Mickey (especially) for many years. He was a delightful man. May God’s peace be with you all. ~ Anita Adams
Mr. Hoyle was truly a precious man. It was a great honor and pleasure to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to entire Hoyle family and we ask that God’s love comfort you in this very difficult time.
DeVere, Todd, John & Terry
We are so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
All the employees at Oteen V. A. Federal Credit Union was very saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Hoyle. He was always so good to us and sent me candy many times with my order while he was still working. He was a truly wonderful man and was a real pleasure to have known him for many years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hoyle family.
Dear Jimmy & Mickey. So very sorry for your loss. Knew your Dad many years and was always a gentleman and friend. Asheville will also miss a great citizen.
Kelley,Jerry,Austin,
You all are in our thoughts & prayers. What a wonderful legacy!!!
As a child beginning his work ethic’s, then those same ethic goal’s of his early adult life, led Mr Hoyle to 99 yrs. of ‘taking care of the customer’ for the rest of his life.
Within all of his legacy is all the amazing community service’s of which we are sure many service’s unrecognized.
While many yrs. ago Charles was working @ Bell’s Traditional & delivery to Hoyle’s is how he became to know the one & ‘only Red’ Mr.Hoyle and a legacy to be remembered always. And even in 90’s still was going on delivery some times, is amazing!!!!
The most important part for him is his family, wife,children,grandchildren,great-grandchildren,nieces,nephews and for all that knew him and that wonderful legacy to be remembered by.
To never be forgotten,he will forever be in your hearts.
Charles & Jean
Our deepest and most sincere condolences to the entire Hoyle family. Red Hoyle was such a gentleman and friend. His contributions to Asheville and all of western North Carolina are immeasurable. His positive influence on our lives and the lives of so many others will never be forgotten. What a privilege it was to have the opportunity to know him.
Bill and Carolyn Slawter
I used to love to hear Red and Scotty talk on WWNC about stuff around Asheville. It was a better and simpler time. My deepest sympathy.