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Mr. Edward John Scherlacher Sr. 89, of Charleston Ridge Drive, Mocksville, died Monday, Sept. 6, 2021 at his home.

He was born on Aug. 21, 1932, in Newark, N.J. to the late Alexsandor Carl and Margarit Maria Hanisch Scherlacher.

His first language was German, and he learned English in kindergarten. He completed elementary school as valedictorian of his eighth-grade class. As he progressed in his education, he excelled in athletics and academics. He received recognition in basketball and football. His achievements in baseball landed him a scholarship at Bloomfield College. After college, he entered the U.S. Naval Reserves. He was drafted and sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he played for the baseball team on base. He then earned a spot on the all-star team. On July 4, 1954, his team went up against the Cuban All-Star team, and won.

He enjoyed a career as a sales manager with Anaconda American Brass and Cambridge Lee Industries. He had a flair for using golf outings and deep-sea fishing excursions to build relationships with customers. He was a gifted Tiffany-style glass artisan, woodworker and craftsman. He loved his workbench where it seemed he could fix or make anything.

He loved Gerrie, his wife of 66 years, with whom he raised three sons. He is remembered for making homemade pizza on Saturday nights with the family. Vacationing on the Jersey Shore each summer was time he was able to slow down and relax. He was a lifelong sportsman and president of the local Little League Association in East Hanover, N.J. He supported local sports teams. He was a proud lifelong NY Yankees baseball and NY Giants football fan. Playing golf was his lifelong passion. He hit a hole in one in a tournament in 1971.

He was a Christian who enjoyed 28 years of service as the 5th and sixth-grade boys Sunday School teacher at the Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Essex Fells, N.J. Upon his retirement to Mocksville in 2002, he and his wife Gerrie ministered at The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte for 11 years. He was a member of Blaise Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Scherlacher.

Survivors: his wife, Gerrie Wilma Kincs Scherlacher of the home; 3 children, Edward John Scherlacher Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., Andrew James Scherlacher (Beth) of Greensboro and Christopher David Scherlacher (Niemah) of Milton, N.J.; 8 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a niece, Susan Zelenenki; and 2 nephews, Carl Scherlacher and John Scherlacher.

A private inurnment took place in Blaise Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors conducted by the U.S. Navy. A memorial service will be conducted at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 at Blaise Baptist with the Rev. Ken Furches officiating.  The family will receive friends following the service.

Memorials: Billy Graham Library, 4330 Westmont Drive, Charlotte, 28217.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.