Thomas Percy Laney 0-1177041

Percy was born in Monroe, N.C., on May 28, 1914. He was killed by enemy artillery fire during World War II, near St. Lo, France, while serving as an Bn. of the 30th Division. He was buried in a temporary U.S. Military Cemetery at La Cambe, France. A memorial service was held for Percy in the Central Methodist Church, Monroe, N. C., on September 14, 1944. His body was later returned to the U.S. and was buried in the family plot of the Monroe Cemetery on Feb. 12, 1948. Graveside services were conducted by Dr. Billups, pastor of Central Methodist Church.

Percy was a graduate of Monroe High School. He attended Wingate Junior College, Wake Forest College and studied law at George Washington University. He was a member of the Central Methodist Church and was a devout Christian.

He was a member of Senator Josiah W. Bailey’s secretarial staff when he joined the army in 1942. Before that he was connected with the office of Congressman Walter Lambeth of the Eighth District for several years.

Percy was married to the former Miss Martha Frasher of Barnesville, Ohio, in 1939. They had no children.

Besides his parents and widow the following brothers and sisters survive - Mrs. Charles H. Rhett of Pulaski, Va., who is his twin sister; Mrs. Arnold Lingle of Monroe; Emsley Laney of Wilmington, N.C.; Phifer Laney of Denver, Colo.; and George, Walter, Frank, and Robert Laney of Monroe, N.C.

Although Percy would probably have been deferred for some time because of the nature of his work, he felt that his primary duty was in the military servicee of his country and he volunteered in 1942. He received basic training at Fort Bragg, N. C. and later attended officers’ candidate school at Fort Sill, Okla., where he received a commission as a field artillery officer. He was later stationed at Camp Blanding, Fla., and Camp Atterbury, Ind., before leaving in the early part of 1944 for service in England and France.

Percy was awarded the Silver Star, posthumously, for gallantry in action and also the Purple Heart.

Percy was a warm and friendly person who believed deeply in God and his country. He will be missed by many.

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