Edgar Dixon Hoyle, 91, died early Saturday morning in Jefferson after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He was born in Cooleemee on Aug. 10, 1926 to Marion Hudson Hoyle Sr. and Margaret Efird Hoyle. He suspended his studies at UNC-Chapel Hill to join the Marines in World War II and was training for an invasion of Japan when the war ended. On returning from the war, he resumed his education at UNC where he earned his degree in pharmacy. He married the former Mary Lee McMahan of the Farmington community and joined his father and brother, Bob, in the family business, Cooleemee Drug Company, serving as pharmacist. The couple moved to Emerald Isle in 1972 where he worked with Eckerd Drug Co. in Morehead City and Jacksonville. On retirement, the couple began a series of moves that took them from the coast to the mountains of their home state, staying several years in Glendale Springs, West Jefferson, Deep Gap and also the Atlanta area of Georgia.

Survivors: a son David (Julie) of Glendale Springs; and daughter, Beth French (John) of Flowery Springs, Ga.; 2 grandsons, Ballard Hoyle (Sarah), David French (Katie); granddaughters, Ginny Lawrimore (Dave) and Lauriel Rader (Donnie); 2 great-grandsons, Simon Lawrimore and Turner French, a great-granddaughter, Madison Edwards; 4 nieces, Sister Martha Hoyle, Ruth Hoyle, Janet  Towell (A.J.), and Tina Roten (Rich); and sister-in-law, Marjorie R. Hoyle.

He was preceded in death by: his wife, Mary Lee; brothers, Marion Hudson Hoyle Jr. and Robert Efird Hoyle; and grandson, Joseph French.

Memorial services are being planned at The Parish of the Holy Communion in Beaver Creek and Cooleemee United Methodist Church.

Memorials: Medi Home Health and Hospice (1877 NC 163,West Jefferson, 28694) of Ashe County; and Cooleemee United Methodist Church.

Condolences: www.boonefuneralhome.com.