Alan Douglas Varnes, 69, of Hamlet, passed away peacefully on Oct. 10, 2023 at Hospice Haven, spending his last days surrounded by family and his wife of 35 years, Linda Dunn Varnes.
Alan was born on Jan. 20, 1954 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. After Alan’s father passed away unexpectedly when he was just a small child, his mother moved them to North Carolina. His mother, Ruth Floyd, and stepfather, Clint Floyd, raised Alan and his eight siblings in the Hope Mills/Parkton area.
After graduating from Parkton High School, Alan began working at a cabinet shop, and also served his community as a volunteer firefighter. He was also a Freemason with the St. Paul’s Masonic Lodge. At the age of 19, he began his career in the trucking industry, driving a truck for 44 years until his retirement from XPO Logistics in 2019.
Alan and Linda married in 1988 and made their home in Hamlet. During his early years, Alan enjoyed fishing, lifting weights with his brother, and driving his classic cars. In later years, in his leisure time, Alan could be found in his shop woodworking or in the yard clearing land on his tractor. The times he valued most were spent with family out on the pontoon, cruising around Lake Tillery or traveling the east coast with his devoted wife, Linda.
Alan loved God, his wife, family, and church family at 3 Rock Church.
Alan was preceded in death by his father, Carlton Varnes; his mother, Ruth Floyd; stepfather, Clint Floyd; brother, Richard Floyd; and brother-in-law, Lynwood Dunn Sr.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Dunn Varnes of Hamlet; children, Amanda Bertsch (Kory) and Kevin Taylor (Tiffanie); grandchildren, Austin and Knox Bertsch and Alex Taylor; brothers, Stephen Varnes (Candy), Monty Floyd (Wanda), Jean Floyd (Angel) and Jeffrey Floyd (Penny); sisters, Lila Wilkes (Ralph), Judith Miller (Phil) and Susan Hales (Ricky); brother-in-law, Jimmy Dunn (Lynda); sister-in-law, Terri Dunn; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Watson-King Funeral Home Chapel in Hamlet with the Rev. Joel Perry officiating. The family will receive friends from 1-2 prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Richmond County Hospice, 1119 N. U.S. Hwy 1, Rockingham, NC 28379; or to 3 Rock Church, 103 Shady Wood Drive, Rockingham, NC 28379.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the Varnes family.
