By Debbie Hall
Residents and business owners in Meadows of Dan gathered Thursday to bid a fond farewell to Terry Hyler, a long-time UPS delivery driver who retired last week.
Leslie Shelor, owner of Poppy’s at Meadows of Dan, and others helped collect well wishes on a card and contributions of more than $800 to buy Hyler going away presents that included an Amazon gift card.
We “figured he’s delivered so many Amazon Prime packages to all of us, he deserves to get something he wants from Amazon,” Fran Durden wrote in a social media post.
The send-off “was touching,” Shelor said. “We’ve only had three UPS men in my lifetime, and they’ve all been wonderful. Terry is the tops.”
Beth Ford, of Nancy’s Candy Co., said that Hyler lives in Brosville, Virginia, but spent the better part of 20 of his 45-years with UPS trekking from Danville to Meadows of Dan to deliver packages and smiles.
“Everyone felt special with Terry. He knew names, waved at one’s car or truck, was familiar with pets and always had a big smile for all,” Ford said.
Years earlier, Hyler was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Ford said, and recalled that “he spoke freely about being healthy his entire life and then suddenly being hit with that whammy.”
The experience was “a wake-up call,” Ford said, adding that Hyler also freely discussed the challenges he encountered on the road to his recovery “and how difficult rehab was, but he made it back.
“Everyone loves Terry,” Ford said. “Hundreds of folks signed his card and contributed to a monetary gift for him to do something special for himself. He has gone above and beyond for the people of Meadows of Dan for all these decades.”
The community “will miss him – and wish him many happy years ahead,” Ford said
