Herbert Tyler Dula, Sr, also known as “Rick,” “Slick Rick,” “Pretty Ricky,” “Smoke,” “Unk” and “Mr. President,” was the second child born to the late Henry Paul Dula and Elizabeth Dula Banks on December 9, 1948 in Lexington, North Carolina.

He passed away peacefully at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, North Carolina on June 15, 2026. He was known for his quick wit and ability to make people laugh. He will be missed by family and friends.

Herbert was a proud graduate of Dunbar High School Class of 1967, the last segregated class of Dunbar High School. He participated in football and was voted the best dress in his class.

He joined the United States Navy and traveled the world enjoying himself wherever he was. He was honorably discharged on the 9th day of February 1985 and received a certificate of appreciation for service in the armed forces of the United States from president Richard Nixon. He worked for the city of Winston-Salem in Data Processing. Later he moved to Atlanta, Georgia and worked for IBM until he retired.

He received his associates degree from Davidson County Community College in Applied Science, General Business Administration in 1976. A proud moment in his life was when he graduated from Winston-Salem State University in 1987 with a bachelor of science in Applied Science. He was a proud WSSU Ram and a member of the Omicron Omicron chapter of Alpha Omega Fraternity Incorporated.

A member of St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Lexington, Herbert has now joined his parents, Henry Paul and Miss Lib and his son, Herbert T. Dula, Jr. in the Great Circle of Life.

Celebrating his life are his son, Bradford N. Dula and the mother of his sons,Barbara N. Dula; his daughters, Charlotte and Charlene Nichols; his granddaughter, Dayjaney Cowan-Liner (Josef Cowan-Liner); his siblings: Rev. Dr. Arnetta Beverly, Clarence E. Dula (Dr. Allison Nash) and Uleetha E. Pittman; his best buds: Bruce Cross, Jimmy Friday and David Norman, Billy Blake and Eric Chaney of Atlanta and the whole tribe of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family is grateful for the care and love shown to him in Community Living Center Building 42 and the Liberty Hospice Center Building 43 at the VA in Salisbury, North Carolina and to the many friends who have called, prayed or visited. We love each of you.

“And now the end is near and so I face the final curtain. My friend, I’ll say it clear, I’ll state my case of which I’m certain. I’ve lived a life that’s full, I’ve traveled each and every highway. And more, much more than this, I did it my way. I loved, I laughed and cried, I’ve had my fill, my share of losing. And now as tears subside, I find it all so amazing. To think I did all that and may I say, not in a shy way. Oh no, not me. I did it my way” (Paul Anka), …and Herbert did that and more with love and laughter for which he will always be remembered.

The family would like to thank each of you for your many acts of kindness shown to us doing this time of sorrow. We are grateful for the many calls, texts, emails, cards, visits, flowers, prayers and the wonderful expressions of love.

~Written and submitted by the family~