Missing Uncle Gram - Rest in Peace

Here is the obituary that was just sent to the newspaper (will be in The State and the Twin Cities - Batesburg-Leesville - Times tomorrow) for our dear friend and radio colleague, Mark "Uncle Gram" Lyvers.

Mark Anthony Lyvers, age 71, died August 26, 2018.

Mark, who gained fame as longtime WUSC radio host “Uncle Gram,” was born in 1947 to the late John Samuel Lyvers and Betty Mae Hallock Lyvers of Annapolis, Maryland.  

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Matthew Wayne Lyvers.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 37 years, Henrietta Gill Lyvers; two daughters, Natalie Lyvers Derrick (Matt), Timmie Lyvers Hayes (Mike); son, Alexander Gill Lyvers (Andrianna); sisters, Nona McNatt, Denise Messineo (Tony), Pam Stern (Jeff), brother, Lane Lyvers (Dannye), sister-in-law Anna Soper Lyvers; 11 grandchildren, one great-grandson and many nieces and nephews.

Mark was graduated from Annapolis High School, then joined the Air Force where he served overseas as a Morse Code operator from 1966-72, then was honorably discharged. He returned to Columbia where he worked for Eastern Airlines followed by Pioneer Machinery.

As “Uncle Gram,” Mark was internationally renowned as the host of WUSC’s “Red Bank Bar and Grill” radio show every Saturday for two decades. His knowledge and warmth was integral in growing the Americana genre. He interviewed national and local singer-songwriters and was regularly chosen as Free-Times “Editors’ Pick” for Best DJ.

Mark enjoyed sports and coached his children's sports teams. He was a member of Wittenberg Lutheran Church, was beloved by family and friends far and wide, loved life and lived his to the fullest.

Memorials may be made to the Wittenberg Food Pantry, or to WUSC-FM, or a charity of your choice.

A service celebrating Mark’s life will be held Thursday, August 30 at 6 p.m. at Wittenberg Lutheran Church, 233 North Lee Street, Leesville, SC 29070.

 

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RIP Uncle Gram of WUSC's Red Bank Bar and Grill

Our joy at the thought of returning to the airwaves tomorrow evening was dashed when I got the call last evening that our dear friend, colleague, fellow-dj, and all around wonderful person, Mark Lyvers (aka Uncle Gram) had passed away. Our hearts are simply breaking.



Our friend and fellow DJ Mark Lyvers
aka WUSC's "Uncle Gram"

I'd been on the phone with his wife a half hour before and all was normal and I'd seen him recently on my weekly visit to the farm where I ride with his wife... and where my two former co-hosts "Claudette, the Blues Doggess" (aka Lawdy Miss Clawdy) and dear RockyDawg Blues Defender are buried so they can still do what they loved - run alongside Kee Kee the Wonderhorse (aka Stinkerbell) as he gallops up pastoral hillsides with me or Mark's wife Henri aboard. On that visit, Mark was alert and interested in tuning in to hear the launch of Blues Moon Radio's 29th year!

So. A shocking and sad surprise to so suddenly lose Mark. Of course, he had been suffering a long, progressive illness with no cure, but the fact is we thought he would be with us a whole lot longer.

His calm warmth, his intelligent and gentle communication, and his deep love for music which he took the time to know so much about were hallmarks of his radio show. He put every ounce of spare energy and time into giving his listeners the fullest experience they could have by listening. He meant so much to performers whom he lifted up and pushed out into the public's eyes and ears. He gave countless hours of spare time to help make the world a better place - and thanks in large part to his efforts, our world here in the Midlands (and rippling out across the globe) it worked! He was many times named best DJ in Free Times Best Of, editor's picks.

We lift him up to his eternal rest in the arms of his God - and know he is flipping those platters non-stop up in heaven. I suspect Gram Parsons is showing him around in thanks for all that fandom.

His name was taken from Uncle Tupelo and Gram Parsons - icydnk.

Our show tomorrow - one he often enjoyed subbing for under the pseudonym Muddy Rivers - will be in his honor. I'll try to do the best I can. I doubt I will measure up.

We already miss you so much, Mark. Rest well... you did good AND you did well.

Love,
Clair DeLune