Photo via GregBalsley.com
Well this is so sad. I can't believe I missed it.
Greg Statler Balsley, 49, drowned last Wednesday, June 20, in Nags Head, North Carolina. Greg is the son of Statler Brothers founding member Phil Balsley.
According to reports, Greg was swimming in the ocean on Wednesday when a lifeguard heard his cries for help. The lifeguard swam out and pulled Greg and another member of the same group to shore.
The other swimmer survived, but Greg unfortunately didn't.
According to a press release, there was a rip current but it's not actually 100% certain that Greg died from drowning. I'm sure an official report will be released at some point.
Wow. Sending my condolences and prayers out to the family and friends.
Greg's obituary is after the jump...
Gregory Statler Balsley, 49, husband of Dania Robinson-Balsley of North Coalter Street, died on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, in North Carolina. He was born on April 26, 1963, in Staunton, a son of Philip Elwood and Wilma (Kincaid) Balsley. He was a graduate of Buffalo Gap High School and attended Mary Washington and Bridgewater College. Mr. Balsley was employed as a real estate agent with Real Estate III/Better Homes and Gardens. He was a member of Olivet Presbyterian Church. In addition to his wife and parents, family members include three sons and a daughter-in-law, Brannon and Heather Balsley, Bryce, and Tyler Balsley; a daughter, Krissi Balsley and her fianc‚, Justin Thomas; a brother, Mark Balsley of Swoope; a sister and brother-in-law, Leah and TJ Dickens of Phoenix, Maryland; a sister-in-law, Pam Garten; paternal grandmother, Marjorie F. Balsley; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Larry W. "Buck" and Jane Robinson; two grandchildren, Ben and Austin; three nieces, Lela Garten, Mae Dickens, Audrey Dickens; and two nephews, Caid and Bret Dickens.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Elwood Balsley; maternal grandparents, Lee and Myra Kincaid; and mother-in-law, Becky Robinson. A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, June 25, 2012, at Olivet Presbyterian Church by the the Reverend Harry Johns Jr. Burial will follow at Oak Lawn Mausoleum and Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Mark Wenger, Curtis Wimer, Kevin Washington, Chip Harvill, Bill Hanger, John David Eavers, Rob Harvill, and Sid Harvill. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Reid, Don Reid, Jimmy Fortune, John Lee, Sidney Supple, Ernie Landes, Timmy Swortzel, Dale Greaver, and friends attending service. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday, June 24, 2012, at the Henry Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels of Staunton, P.O. Box 2354, Staunton, VA 24402 or to the Town of Nagshead Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 99, Nagshead, NC 24959. Condolences may be sent to the family atwww.henryfuneralhome.net.
It's pretty sad that we're talking about someone's son who died here but the only comments anyone has made is about the fact that I got something wrong. Shit happens, I got something silly wrong. I know their music, I didn't have a clue who was in the band, their names, or what voice belonged to who. I admit it. Who cares if I got the voice wrong? I think those who are nitpicking are kind of missing the point of the article.
Posted by: Shannon | August 12, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Phil was the second tenor. Don was the baritone. You both fail.
Posted by: Emily Scheer | August 12, 2012 at 07:22 AM
It's called being human. Sorry, it happens occasionally. I wrote info from another site before postibg, oh, I mean posting.
Posted by: Shannon | June 27, 2012 at 04:13 PM
You would think that the people who write these stories would do some research before postibg stories.Phil Balsley was not "the deep voiced one"as implied in this article.Harold Reid was.Phil is a baritone.
Posted by: Denver DeWitt | June 27, 2012 at 12:47 PM