Drexel Alderman Terry Yount passes away at 79

The Town of Drexel announced Monday morning that longtime Board of Aldermen member Terry Yount or “Chief Yount” has died.

“Words just can’t explain how great he was and how big of a legend he was for the Town of Drexel,” Mayor Dennis Anthony said in a phone call with The Paper Monday morning.

“He was our cornerstone on the board,” Anthony said.

His death comes weeks after Yount resigned from the board in late April due to ongoing health issues. He had been unable to attend board meetings for the past several months, but sometimes participated via cellphone.

In his resignation statement, Yount expressed his love for the Drexel community and how he enjoyed serving its residents for many years.

“I have been honored to serve, as well as protect, our Drexel community,” he said.

Yount served on the Board of Aldermen for more than a quarter of a century, starting in 1999. During his time on the board, he was elected by fellow members to the office of Mayor Pro Tempore on multiple occasions. He was re-elected in November of 2023 and his term would have expired in December of 2027.

His reason for serving in his most recent term was to see the reclamation of the old Drexel Furniture site come to fruition as well as the renovations at the R.O. Huffman Center.

Town Manager Bill Carroll told The Paper Tuesday morning that not only was Yount instrumental in the industrial site and R.O. Huffman Center projects, but he was an important part of the history of Drexel.

"He always had a story to tell. When I saw him last, he had an incredible story from back in the '80s that I hadn't heard before," Carroll said, "and I think that kind of history is going to be sorely missed because not a lot of people can carry those stories on as long as he had."  

Yount was appointed to the Drexel Police Department as a reserve officer in 1966 and in 1969 he was hired as a full-time officer. He eventually rose to the rank of chief of police, altogether serving the department for 32 years.

In 1998, Yount retired from full-time police duty in Drexel and went on to serve in the U.S. Marshals Service for 15 years.

His service to the town started during his childhood as a volunteer at the Drexel Community Fair and he later joined the Drexel Fair Board, where he served as a member and treasurer for 20 years.

Yount was also honored as Jaycee of the Year in 1977, Drexel Citizen of the Year in 1997, and Drexel Christmas Parade Grand Marshal in 2023.

A Celebration of life for Yount will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, at First Baptist Church Valdese. Rev. Dr. Josh Lail will be officiating and a gathering of friends to talk and share will follow the service in the Church Fellowship Hall.

The town will honor Yount at their regular Drexel Board of Aldermen meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.