Edward J. Layman, Jr.
Augusta, GA – Edward James Layman Jr., 84, devoted husband of 65 years to Dorothy Marie Layman, entered into rest on April 30, 2017 at his home. Edward was born in Troy, NY on February 8, 1933 to Edward J. Layman Sr. and Myrtle Davis Layman, and has been a resident of Augusta, GA for 50 years. He first met Dorothy, the love of his life, at the age of 5 at Public School 1 in Albany, NY and professed that one day he would marry “that brown hair little girl.” Edward attended Philip Schuyler High School in Albany, NY and married Dorothy on July 6, 1951. He served in the US Army, first as a medic and later in the Signal Corp. His foreign tours of duty included Indochina, Vietnam and Germany. During the Vietnam War, Edward was awarded a Bronze Star. In 1973, Edward retired from the US Army as a Sergeant First Class with 21 years of service. He then worked as a Social Worker at the Youth Detention Center and retired from the State of Georgia with 25 years of service. Edward was a member of St. James United Methodist Church where he served as a member of the Administrative Board, Methodist Youth Fellowship Director, Methodist Men’s Club President and Emma Lester Sunday School teacher. He loved reading about history, especially the Civil War, and loved woodworking and animals. A stray cat could come into his garage in the winter and find food and a bed where he placed a heating pad to keep them warm. Edward felt his greatest achievement was helping to raise five boys who all served in the United States military with a combined service of over eighty years.
Mr. Layman was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Myrtle, his sons; Edward J. Layman III and Andrew L. J. Layman, Daughter In-Law; Sharron S. Layman, Sister In-Law; Susan V. Madeline and Granddaughters; Lila Lybrand and Christina A. Layman Howell. In addition to his wife, Dorothy, he is survived by his sons; William J. J. Layman Sr. of Augusta, GA, Keith A. J. Layman Sr. (Anna) of Mills River, NC and Michael P. J. Layman Sr. (Teresa) of North Augusta, SC, his Grandchildren; William J. J. Layman Jr. (Kara) of Acworth, GA, Patricia M. Harner (Chris), Michael P. J. Layman Jr. of North Augusta, SC, Brandi N. Rockwood (Charles) of Hephzibah, GA, Keith A. J. Layman Jr., Danielle M. Layman of Philadelphia, PA, Trisha M. Williams of North Augusta, SC and Andrea R. Layman of Kennesaw, GA, Sister In-Laws; Dolores Dutko of Hephzibah, GA and Edna Madeline of Valatie, NY, his Half-Brother; James Edward Layman of Tucson, AZ and 17 Great Grandchildren.
The Funeral Service with full military honors will be Friday, May 12, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at St. James United Methodist Church with Reverend’s Bart Grey and Thurman Norville officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the St. James Methodist Youth Fellowship during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Burial will follow at Westover Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, 439 Greene St., Augusta, GA 30901 or to the Augusta Georgia Animal Shelter.
The family will receive friends Thursday, May 11, 2017 from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com.