Another Marine, Gary Lynn Weatherford, reported to Heaven on Thursday, September 24, 2015, after surviving a massive stroke in January and then fought a hard battle with cancer.
He was born April 9, 1949, in Clarksville, TN, to Hulit and Mildred Weatherford.
Funeral service will be held Sunday, September 27, at 2:00 PM, at the Chapel of Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, with Bro. Dwayne James and James Lindsey officiating. Good memories will be shared by close friends. Following the service, Gary will be laid to rest at Harvey Cemetery, in Cunningham, TN, with full military honors. Visitation will be Saturday, September 26, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, and Sunday, September 27, from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service, at the funeral home.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, Hulit Weatherford; parents, Grady and Mildred Redford; and brothers, Jimmy, Stanley, and Bobby Weatherford. In 1978, Gary lovingly gave his brother Jimmy an additional ten years of life, by donating his kidney.
Gary is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Patsy (Key) Weatherford of Woodlawn; son, Brent Weatherford of Bardstown, KY, whom he loved with all his heart; he was “Papa” to grandchildren, Morgen and Bryce Weatherford, Whitney Bryan of Bardstown, KY; brother Ronnie (Danielle) Weatherford of San Diego, CA; sister, Carol (Don) Wallace of Clarksville; brother-in-law, David (Candy) Key of Clarksville; life-long friends, Larry and Leslie Frost of Woodlawn; and his devoted dog, Tootie.
Gary was honored by the City of Clarksville as “Our Hometown Hero” in 2009. He raised money for charitable organizations, coordinated over 2000 funerals and organized flag-raising ceremonies. Other volunteer work included selling flags for the Marine Corps League to raise money, playing “Taps” for the Army funerals, military funeral honors detail and firing detail.
Gary was proud to be part of the Marine Corps Detachment 603. Gary was also a member of the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. He dearly loved his family, friends, and his Marine Corps family.
Pallbearers will be members of the Marine Corps League and the Tennessee National Guard.
The family extends a special thank you to the Marine Corps League and AseraCare Hospice.
“His Journey is Over, His Soul is at Rest.”