Obituary of Rev. Ralph E. Kayler

REV. RALPH E. “JACK” KAYLER, 91, died on October 22, 2018 at his home in Greensboro, NC. He was born in New Orleans, La, on June 2, 1927. He was predeceased by his parents, Nevette and Nona Kayler, an infant twin brother Ernest, and his 7 brothers: Nevette, Elam, Ray, Joe, Charles, Roger, and Ed and two nephews, Gene and Rick, all of Gastonia, NC.  He is survived by his sister, Jane Kayler Parish (Joe) of Charlotte, NC.  Dr. Claudette Taylor Kayler, his wife of 65 years, also survives along with his children Rev. Dr. Claude Kayler and wife Lorie of Lake Junaluska, NC; Dayton and wife Mary Katherine of Leland, NC; Dr. Jacqueline Kayler DeBrew and husband Clint of Greensboro, NC. Grandchildren are David Kayler and wife Lauren and their sons James and Owen of Asheville, NC;  Mary Kayler of Lake Junaluska, NC; Kayler and Caleb DeBrew of Greensboro,NC; and Grace and Katherine Kayler of Leland, NC. 16 nieces and nephews survive.

Rev. Kayler served churches in the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church for 46 years before his retirement in 1993.  He continued to serve interim and associate positions for 15 additional years. He served the following United Methodist churches: Level Cross  ( Surry County), Rockford, Stony Knoll, Siloam, Stanford, Stokesburg, Pine Hall, Mills River, Cokesbury, Ward Street, Bethpage, First Norwood, St. John (Greensboro), Boger City, St. James (Charlotte), Bradley Memorial, First Stanley, First Gastonia, and Guilford College.

Jack was a well-loved and well-respected minister. Some churches said, “He’s too good a preacher for our church.” Some said, “He made us a church. We were just a social club before he came.” In addition to service in the local church, Jack preached in Chile, Scandinavia, the USSR, England, and Cambodia. Jack was a member of Greensboro Airport Rotary and past president of Lake Norman Rotary. He was a past assistant District Governor of Rotary. He was past president of Lincoln County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, on the board of directors for Lincoln County Hospice, Chair of the Survivors Committee for East Lincoln Cancer Society and the largest fund raiser for East Lincoln Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Jack was involved in one church building program (St. John) but primarily he invested in building relationships and helping people live their best lives. He was followed into full time Christian service by 8 young men and women. He was a loving father and a devoted husband. 

Jack was graduated from Brevard College, Duke University (A.B.), and Duke Divinity School (M. Div.). He was a member of the Iron Dukes and traveled with the basketball team on their charter plane to Hawaii in 2001 and Alaska in 2003 and with the football team to Tampa and Birmingham.

Rev. Kayler was a certified Marriage and Family therapist; certified leader of Marriage Enrichment; Associate member of the NC Chaplains Association; past president of NC Association of Couples for Marriage Enrichment (now called Better Marriages).

From the time he was first licensed to preach in 1947 until his death Rev. Kayler was faithful to the call he received to serve God and preach the Gospel.

Memorials may be made to Duke University Divinity School, Box 90966, Durham, NC 27708; Brevard College, 1 Brevard College Drive, Brevard, NC 28712; The Rotary Foundation, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201.

The family wishes to thank his nursing aides:  Diana, Sharné, Ashley, Bertha, Mimi, Raquel, Brandon and Tiffany and Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro who provided loving care during his final days.

The Memorial Service will be held on November 3 at 1 P. M. at Guilford College United Methodist Church.  A time of celebration, remembrance, and sharing will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Friends and family may sign, and view the guestbook at www.Pierce-JeffersonFuneralService.com