Vervin Woody Stamey has left us for his next adventure, having passed peacefully at his beloved mountain property in Zirconia, NC, on March 29, 2023. He was born January 24, 1953, although it might have been January 23, as he was born in an ambulance on the way to the hospital at about midnight.
He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Alexander “Gene” Stamey, and survived by his mother, JoAnn Gosnell Stamey of Canton, NC. Vervin left behind two cherished Labrador retrievers, a chicken, and two cats.
He wasn’t just big in stature but also in personality, as all those who knew and loved him can attest. Vervin leaves behind many friends who knew his good heart and his easy ability to turn acquaintances into friends.
Vervin started college at Western Carolina University on a baseball scholarship. He aimed to be an accountant. After his first year of college, his summer job turned into a 30-year career as a lineman with Bellsouth (ATT). He was known as the rock-n-roll lineman due to his penchant for blasting such tunes from his work van. His colleagues have many stories of the legend Vervin left.
Vervin loved to share his mountaintop with those who appreciated the “little slice of heaven” that he was fortunate to be caretaker of. It had been his lifelong dream to preserve the land as “Vervin’s View” so others could enjoy it in perpetuity.
Vervin had many passions. Dogs have always been a big part of his life. He also felt a kinship with bears, being known to chase after a grizzly or enjoy a black bear nibbling at his bird feeder with only a screen door between them. His headstone should read, “Vervin Stamey, Just hibernatin’.
Music, golf, and flying, whether a plane or a hang glider, kept Vervin busy. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR and golf.
With forethought and planning, Vervin will forever reside on his mountaintop in Vervin’s Resting Place Cemetery alongside his family of pets, including dogs, cats, and chickens. His Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, April 8th at 2:22 PM at Vervin’s Vew.
Funds can be donated to care for Vervin’s animals can be sent to Randi Thompson, 573 Fortescue Road, Zirconia, NC 28790.
