Johnathan Laban Rhyne

Johnathan Laban Rhyne Mr. Rhyne went to be with his Savior on December 4, 2011. He was born on February 27, 1923 in Lincolnton, North Carolina to Agnes Munday Rhyne and Paul Conrad Rhyne. He graduated from Lincolnton High School where he was Senior Class President. He then attended North Carolina State University, earning a BS in Textiles. Mr. Rhyne served his country in World War II in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant. Following his military service in the Philippines and Japan, he moved to Belmont, where he became Superintendent of National Mills (later a division of RL Stowe Mills). It was in Belmont that he created his first specialty yarn and was awarded his first patent. It was also there that he met the love of his life, the former Marian Lavinia Stowe. In 1954, he returned home to Lincolnton to assist his family in reviving their family textile business. Under his textile expertise and the business acumen of his brothers, Rhyne Mills became an industry leader in the manufacture of specialty and novelty yarns. Mr. Rhyne served as an Elder in First Presbyterian Church, Lincolnton, was a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts, and served as a Trustee on the Lincoln County Hospital Board. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marian Stowe Rhyne, of Davidson, two sons, Johnathan Laban Rhyne, Jr (and wife, Martha Jayne Cameron Rhyne) of Gastonia, Charles Chafin Rhyne (and wife, Jennie Gallagher Rhyne) of Lincolnton, and a daughter, Charlotte Rhyne, of Tequesta, Florida, three grandchildren: Cameron Stowe Rhyne, Marian Crawford Rhyne, and Johnathan Laban Rhyne III. He is predeceased by his parents, and his two brothers, Paul Conrad Rhyne, Jr. and Joseph Munday Rhyne. A service to celebrate his life will be held at Davidson College Presbyterian Church on December 6, 2011 at 2:00 pm, with The Reverend Lib McGregor Simmons and The Reverend Bill Tiemann, officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at Congregation House. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Davidson College Presbyterian Church, 100 North Main Street, Davidson, N.C. 28036 or Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28204. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting the family. Friends my offer condolences to the family at www.raymerfh.com.