Gary Eugene Hartley, age 83 went to be with his God, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ November 9, 2024, at Tidelands Medical Center, Murrells Inlet, S.C. surrounded by family and friends.
Mr. Hartley was born on March 8, 1942 in Gastonia, NC to the late Eva Henson and Ruben Hartley. He is predeceased by two brothers Billy Hartley and Junior Ruben Hartley, a sister Irene McCowan (Ray), a nephew Barry Hartley (Kathy) all of Great Falls, SC and brother-in-law, Ronald Perry (Jan) of Ridgeway, SC. Gary is survived by his wife Sandra; a daughter Candice Hairston, of Garden City Beach. Three granddaughters, Mariah (Joshua), Gisele and Juelle Hairston. A great-grandson, Jasai Dawson of Garden City Beach, SC and an adopted son, George Kummo of Gainsville, Florida. A nephew, Marty Perry of Longs, SC and Trinity Perry of Columbia, SC. Nieces, Mary Ann Eudy, Jeannie Lynn McCowan, (one great niece Meagan Eudy of Great Falls, SC), Angie Weed of Columbia, SC, Mandi Outen (Adam) of Lexington, SC, Jessica Miller (John) of Buffalo, NY, Amiee Chirio (Mike) of Conway, SC and an enormous number of cousins and friends.
He was educated at Great Falls High School and York Technical College. He was ordained deacon at Mount Zion Baptist church in Great Falls, SC over 25 years ago and has been a member of First Baptist Church, Surfside Beach for a little over 20 years where he currently served his God. He was a mason, and member of the Great Falls Lodge #277, A.F.M. in Great Falls, SC. He began work at the Rock Mount Service Station after school at the age of 13, then with the JP Stevens Co., The Home Place in Great Falls, SC, and Parkway Baptist Church, Chester, SC. He retired from the SC Forestry Commission after 33 years of service where in addition to his routine SC duties, he joined the Western Fire- Fighter Team to fight forest fires in other states. He and his wife, Sandra Perry Hartley retired, moving from Chester, SC to Garden City Beach in 2002. The Hartleys would celebrate 60 happy years of marriage January 15, 2025.
The priority of his life became not missing an opportunity to share The Good News of Jesus Christ, The Way to Eternal Life. He enjoyed hobbies of running, fishing, gardening, small gasoline engine repair, supporting the SC Gamecocks, but most of all loving on his girls, (All 8).
Donations may be made to First Baptist Church, Surfside Beach Senior Adult Group.
Visitation was held Nov. 16th at First Baptist Church, Surfside Beach; followed by a Celebration of his life. A graveside service will be held Nov. 23 at 2:00 p.m., at the Aimwell Cemetary, Highway 34 in Ridgeway, SC 29130.