Albany lost two long-time members of the local business community last week, both considered to be fixtures to the downtown area.

On Wednesday, October 16, longtime Albany pharmacist James Franklin “Big Jim” Dyer passed away after a long illness at the age of 78.

Dyer was a former co-owner of Dyer Drug Company on the north side of the courthouse square.

Dyer was also involved in a host of other business ventures in Clinton County and the area, and served for many years on the Board of Directors of Citizens Bank of Albany, which later became First and Farmer’s National Bank. In addition, he was a former member of the Albany City Council.

On Friday, October 18, long-time hair stylist Linda Sawyers Ray passed away after a battle with cancer.

Ray, 57, had been a stylist and later an owner/stylist in beauty shops in Albany for many years, most recently operating Linda’s Hair World Salon located a block east of the courthouse square on East Cumberland Street.

Complete death notices for both Dyer and Ray can be found this week on page 9.