Laymond H. North, 83, passed away on April 17, 2024. He was at home in the arms of loving family, listening to one of his favorite songs, "Country Roads," by John Denver. Born on March 18, 1941 to Halbert Luther North and Violet Sylvia Shumate North, Laymond grew up in Glen Rogers, a coal mining town near Beckley, WV. He graduated from Glen Rogers High School in 1959 and then Concord College in 1963 with certifications to teach all branches of science and physical education. In 1969, he completed his Master's in Chemical Education from Hampton Institute.

Laymond began his teaching career in 1963 at Jefferson Davis Junior High School. He taught science there for four years before finding a permanent home at Hampton High School. He would teach chemistry in Room 132 for the next 37 years. Beyond being a great teacher, his students will remember his fondness for bright socks, plaid sport coats, and endless dad jokes.

When Laymond wasn't teaching students to balance equations, he might be building his children a high-speed go-cart complete with gear shifter, growing the largest tomato anyone had ever seen, or scoring a brand-new pair of Bermuda shorts for a quarter at the local thrift store. Since 2000, his constant companion, Carol Moss, has joined him in these and many other pursuits, like cheering on the Crabbers' football team, feeding birds and stray animals, and roaming local parks to snap the perfect nature photo. Ever the fitness buff, he was active until the end, riding his bike and challenging his grandson to push-up contests even into the first week of April.

Laymond is survived by his best friend and great love, Carol Moss; his brother and sister, Lionel North (wife Pat) and Charmen Gentry (long-time friend Emma Lynne Reynolds); three children Steven K. North (wife Michele), Vanessa D. North, and Carey S. North; and his beloved grandchildren Brittany Tayler North (husband Eric) and Steven Hunter North. A special thanks to family members Ricky Moss, Melinda Boerner, and Debbie North for their extraordinarily loving support during Laymond's final days.

May the 4th be with us for a fun celebration Laymond would have enjoyed. Join us at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home anytime Saturday 5/4 between 3-5 pm to honor his memory and learn more about his life and many loves.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice or celebrating his life by embracing the simple joys he cherished: planting a garden, feeding the birds, playfully wrestling with the family pup, or sharing a Mother Goose and Grimm comic with your granddaughter. Let these small moments keep his memory alive.