Gastonia, North Carolina

David Albert Layton died peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease on May 22, 2025. He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on February 6, 1943, the only child of Charles Pinkney and Louise Alleman Layton. His family moved to Charlotte when he was nine years old. Although he graduated from Myers Park High School in 1961, his closest friends were his former classmates at Charlotte Catholic High School.

David followed the Golden Rule every day, treating each person with respect and kindness, traits that were evident in his personal and professional life. His favorite Scripture passage was Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” He was always industrious, and began working as a Charlotte Observer delivery boy when he was 12. He continued this even when a student at UNC.

David loved sports and entertained the idea of being a sportscaster but decided early on to become a lawyer. He received his BS in History from UNC in 1965 and JD degree from UNC in 1968. On Feb. 21, 1963, David had a blind date with Mary Evans, a student at the University of Richmond who had come to Chapel Hill for an interview. When Mary transferred to UNC that fall to become an English major, their romance blossomed and they were married on June 25, 1966. Mary became an eighth-grade language arts teacher so David could continue law school. When he graduated in 1968, they moved to Gaston County where David directed the Police Science program at Gaston College for two years. After that he joined the law practice of James Atkins, which began a successful law career lasting more than 50 years. His last practice was Gray, Layton and Kersh where he was a senior partner for more than 25 years. In 2021 the North Carolina Bar Association Construction Law Section awarded him the coveted Evelyn M. Coman Distinguished Service Award.

David and Mary have two daughters and sons-in-law; Maribeth and Wayne Jenkins, and Becca and Jason Shiflet and five grandchildren; Will Shiflet, Mary Nell Jenkins, Evan Shiflet, Anna Jenkins and Sarah Layton Shiflet. They were their Poppy’s audience for many hours of reading Dr. Seuss and Madeleine books and also enjoyed many breakfasts of Poppy Cakes. David was an avid reader of history and biography. He took up tennis in his twenties and was very competitive at Southampton Tennis Club. But when he discovered long distance running, he found his true athletic passion, running five miles a day six mornings a week at the Y with Herb Houston and Mike McLeod, who together became the Three Musketeers. He ran countless 10K races including the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston and many half marathons which he always said were too short. David spent many years helping children learn to read as a reading buddy at Robinson and Sherwood Elementary schools. He encouraged granddaughter Mary Nell to become a first grade teacher to share that love of reading. A devoted Tar Heel, David enjoyed being co-chair of the Gaston County Carolina Club and raised a great deal of money for scholarships. A member of First Presbyterian Church, he served on the finance committee and as a Sunday School teacher.

David is survived by an adoring family and many cherished friendships including cousins, Layton and Gwen McCurdy and caregiver Teri Childers. The family thanks the staff of Covenant Village for their outstanding care.

Donations may be made to two organizations that David supported: Gaston Literacy Council (gastonliteracy.org/donate/) and Backpack Weekend Food Program (https://bwfpgc.com/give/).

A private family service will be held on June 13th. Friends of the Layton family are invited to a reception to honor David’s life in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia from 2:30-4:00 PM on June 13th.

Condolence messages may be sent online at mcleanfuneral.com. McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the Layton family.