James "Jim" Gary

Waynesville, James "Jim" Gary, 87, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2020, at Creekside Villas in Waynesville, North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Peggy, who died in 2016.

Jim was a Merchant Marine in his younger years and then joined the US Navy.  Jim transferred to the U.S. Air Force and was a Combat Controller.  He served during the Korean War and did multiple tours in Vietnam.  Jim retired from the US Air Force with over 20 years of decorated service, most of those years as a Combat Controller.  He was involved in the Combat Control Association for years after his retirement.

Jim was a Building Inspector for Polk County, Florida and retired as the Chief Building Official.  He became the Building Official for the city of Winter Haven and finished his career as a Building Inspector with the City of Auburndale.  Jim enjoyed Civil War reenacting, camping and traveling.  He attended First Missionary Baptist Church in Auburndale, Florida and sang in the choir for many years.  Jim loved the mountains of North Carolina and the friends he made there.

He is survived by his sons, James Russell Gary, of Telico Plains, Tennessee and Jeffrey Thomas Gary, and his wife, Shelda, of Polk City, Florida; daughter, Julie Gary Katt, and her husband, Harold, of Maggie Valley, North Carolina; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, October 1, 2020 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Kersey Funeral Home in Auburndale, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Creekside Villas Activity Fund, c/o Judy Mills, 465 Boyd Avenue,  Waynesville, NC 28786.

The family extends warm gratitude to the caregivers at Creekside Villas for the excellent love and care they extended.