Anthony "Tony" Franklin Pelle

In the death of Anthony “Tony” Franklin Pelle, Asheville lost one of its friendliest and most kind-hearted citizens. Tony Pelle, retired car dealer and entrepreneur, died suddenly on July 20th, at the age of 59 while exploring the Galapagos Islands.

The beloved, red-headed son of Rudy and Dixie Pelle was born in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Asheville, North Carolina, in the early fall of 1965. He was raised in Fairview, along with his three sisters, to whom he was, in his early years, a terrible mischief, and in his later years a source of brotherly love—but always a wellspring of southern warmth and intoxicating laughter.

He graduated from A.C. Reynolds High School in 1983. When he went to Reynolds, he went in a lifted black Chevrolet Blazer, rigged with speakers blaring out Back in Black and a horn that played Dixie. Like his father Rudy, Tony was a consummate car salesman, and followed a career in the automotive industry. He attended Dealership School in California and later managed and owned Prestige Subaru of Asheville for many years. From his father he also inherited his amiability, boisterous good humor, and penchant for quiet and generous acts of charity.

Tony’s brand of living was marked in many ways by an exuberance of eager curiosity, kindness, and hilarity. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved to hunt and fish in wild and interesting places. Always on the go, he had a lively appetite for all sorts of things, diverse and absurd, and like an eager picker, loved to collect antiques, toys, cars, and any sort of thing that made him or others feel good. He had a knack for collecting stories too, which only he could tell with the full flavor of redneck charm and southern humor. And of course he collected many friends along the way.

Tony Pelle also had a special way with animals, and a fondness for dogs especially. He took the friendliest care of creatures, from honeybees and chickens to alpacas, goats, and a pot-bellied pig—but every dog he ever owned was devoted to him beyond measure. Not one could bear to watch him drive away in one of his big, elaborate pickup trucks, and until the end he had a dog by his side.

Tony was preceded in death by his father, Rudy Pelle. He is survived by his mother, Dixie Pelle, sons Anthony and Austin Pelle, wife Cindi Vardiman, step-son Carter Lindsay, sisters Sheila Pelle, Sharon Pelle-McClarty, and Terri Sands, honorary sister Cricket Haake, ten nieces and nephews who loved him dearly, three great nephews, former wife and friend Dayna Pelle, and his loyal canine companion Dallas.

A Celebration of Tony’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. His family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service from 12:30-1:45 PM. The service will also be live streamed via the link just below the obituary text.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation. Please note in memory of Tony Pelle and make checks payable to NCWHF, 8207 Market Street, Suite P, PO Box 10743, Wilmington, NC 28404 or online at www.ncwhf.org.