PENDER COUNTY — Tim Markley, 61, died suddenly on June 21 while biking the Tour de Blueberry annual charity ride in Willard, North Carolina, according to an online obituary.
WECT first reported on June 22 a cyclist died during the festival due to a medical issue, as confirmed by Burgaw Mayor Olivia Dawson. The bike ride is hosted as part of the annual Blueberry Festival which took place last weekend.
Markley began his career as an educator after serving as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was then teacher at E.E. Smith High School and principal at Douglas Byrd High School, both in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He also served superintendent of Catawba County Schools and New Hanover County Schools, along with being an adjunct professor at UNCW.
Markley served as NHCS superintendent for about a decade until his resignation on Feb. 7, 2020. The resignation occurred amid public outcry over a series of child sex-abuse cases involving district staff, including crimes committed by multiple teachers like Michael Kelly and Peter Frank.
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