Leon Earl Toler

Leon Earl Toler of Pikeville passed away Tuesday afternoon at Wayne UNC Healthcare in Goldsboro.

Earl was born in Wayne County on July 20,1953 and was the son of the late George and Joyce Toler.

He grew up in the Belfast community and was a graduate of Charles B. Aycock High School class of 1971.  Earl enjoyed the outdoors, trapping, hunting, fishing, gardening or just spending time outside visiting with friends and family grilling and perfecting his superb barbeque.  In his young adult life Earl worked for J.P. Taylor tobacco company as a buyer.  He thoroughly enjoyed traveling around the southeast meeting many different people and interacting with farmers and their families.  Later Earl returned back to his roots as a tobacco farmer himself.  He always took tremendous pride in his crops and it showed.  As the local farming industry changed with the times, Earl decided to venture into a new direction.  He took his vast knowledge, experience and passion of farming and began a new career with the N.C. Department 0f Agriculture-Cherry Research Farm where he eventually retired.  He always had many interesting stories of working with agriculture researchers and veterinarians from N.C. State University.  He will be remembered as a loyal dedicated hard worker who enjoyed what he did.

Earl will be deeply missed.  He is survived by his loving family, his sister Edith Godwin and her husband Dennis of Rockledge FL.  and his brother Eric Toler and his wife Tammy of Crestview FL.  Six nephews, three great nephews and three great nieces.  Also, very dear close friends and neighbors, Charles Lester Person and his wife Paula who devoted tremendous support to Earl and his family on a daily basis throughout his declining health.

To honor Earl’s wishes, there will be a private memorial service held at the time of releasing his ashes where he requested.

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the Toler family. Online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com

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