Timothy “Tim” Alan Tapley, age 65, of Hendersonville, NC, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, after a brief accident and subsequent complications, at his home in Hendersonville, NC. A graveside memorial service was held Saturday, October 12, at the Elkins burial plot at 1 p.m. in Swainsboro City Cemetery. Friends were welcomed 30 minutes prior to the service.
Tim was born February 10, 1959, in Swainsboro, to LaRose Tapley and the late James Sollie Tapley.
He served in the US Army, training in communications, and served in Germany. Tim briefly worked in tower construction and later became a long-distance truck driver for Wilson Art in Hendersonville, NC. He loved being able to see the country for many years and shared many funny stories and escapades. A back injury and severe arthritis made it impossible to continue his work and after his early retirement, he enjoyed being on his patio in his rocking chair, watching the deer and whatever animals appeared in his back yard. Tim had a name for them all. He and his friend and neighbor, Jaime Banther, shared many cups of coffee and lots of good times together. Tim loved hearing from his family and friends on Facebook and always kept his sense of humor. He was proud of his home and yard and kept a garden as long as his health allowed. Tim and his wife canned and froze fruits and vegetables from his garden. His beautiful blue antique Harley Davidson motorcycle was his pride and joy. Tim loved riding in the mountains and taking road trips. He loved music and even tried his hand at guitar. A giant of a man, Tim was loved and respected for his quiet, sweet and humble nature and he always tried to keep up with old friends and acquaintances through Facebook and texts. He loved to remind people of the childhood story when sledding down a steep hill in Mendham, NJ. His friend wound up in the briar patch and Tim rushed over to help him up and making sure he was ok. The young man’s mother thanked him and told him that he was a young man with “character!” Tim never forgot the story and indeed, he was always a man of character. Family, friends and home were the most important things in his life. Mr. Tapley is preceded in death by his father.
Mr. Tapley is survived by his mother; wife, Juany; two stepsons, Marcelo (Margarita) and Mauricio Retama, (Jennifer); grandchildren, Nelson, Catalina, Juan Pablo, Felipe Matias, Matia and Sebastian Retamal; brother, Jim Tapley (Cathy) of Winter Garden, FL; sister, Teresa Peden of Madison; uncles, Jeff Tapley (Vivian) and Charles Elkins (Belinda); and nieces, Shanna Jadooram (Michael) and Cheyenne Peden; nephews, Shane Tapley (David Pyle) and Dakota Peden; and a host of cousins and friends.
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.
