Dewey Strouse Looney

Asheville Dewey Strouse Looney, 88, of 11 Oak Crescent Drive, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2009, at the Memorial campus of Mission Hospitals. A native of OKeeff, WV, Mr. Looney had resided in Buncombe County since 1955. He was employed for 23 years with Central Motor Lines and retired from Transcon Motor Lines. He was a member of the Pentecostal Tabernacle for 45 years. Mr. Looney honorably served four years in the US Army, with foreign service in Hawaii from 1940-1943. He was at the Schofield Barracks during the Japanese attack on Oahu on December 7, 1941, of which he received the American Defense Service Medal. He loved the Lord, and his greatest enjoyment came from his four grandchildren, whom he loved dearly, his garden and his woodworking. He was a loving man and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Mr. Looney was the son of the late Jo and Mary Robinette Looney. He was also preceded in death by four brothers: Thomas, James, Lee and Ronnie Looney; and three sisters: Eunice Phillips, Betty Moore, and Hazel Varney. Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Mary Hill Looney, of the home; daughter, Bunny Joy Sams and husband Howard of Asheville; grandchildren: Kelly Sams of Asheville, Angel Sams of Washington, DC, Brandon Sams of Charlotte, and Tara Sams of Asheville; brother, Buster Looney of Matewan, WV; and a sister, Phyllis Hanson of Michigan. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home and Cremation Center, with the Rev. Wesley Hudgins officiating. Burial will follow in Bethany UMC Cemetery in Fairview. The family will receive friends from 7-9 PM Monday at the funeral home.