Archie GARY

1922 - 2016

GARY, Archie T. "Arch" Archie (Arch) T. Gary, 94, of Fayetteville Georgia died peacefully at his home on November 2, 2016. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn G. Gary, and survived by his sons, Bart (Beth) Gary of Marietta and Ross Gary of Atlanta; grandchildren, Laura (Michael) Ashby and Scott Gary, and great-grandson, Ryan Ashby, and close friends Jean and Warren Hill. Mr. Gary was a native Georgian and life-long resident of the Atlanta area. He was the son of William Homer Gary and Gussie Seagraves. He was one of eight children and is survived by three siblings, Margaret Crutchfield, Ray Gary, and Robert Gary of Atlanta. After graduating from West Fulton High in Atlanta, Mr. Gary began working for the Southern Railroad where his father had worked. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he returned to Atlanta and wanted to do something different and started driving a cab while looking for work. He enjoyed being a cab driver, buying his own cab, buying several more cabs, and eventually buying the Blue and Gray Cab Company. Building on his success, he went on to form two more cab companies, Courtesy Cab and Carriage Cab, the first cab line of all female drivers. Expanding his business again, he obtained a franchise from Gray Line and began sightseeing tours and charter busses. In the late 1940s, while taking dance lessons at the Arthur Murray dance studio, he met Carolyn Gay. Their favorite date was hot dogs at the Varsity or the Yellow Jacket and walks at Piedmont Park. In addition to his business ventures, he also entered into politics becoming the youngest mayor of Riverdale and then served four terms in the Georgia Legislature. While in legislature, he participated in the settlement of the 1966 tied governor's race between Lester Maddox and Bo Calloway. After retiring from the legislature, he was appointed to the board of directors of MARTA. Selling his businesses in the mid-70s, he and Carolyn retired to the north Georgia mountains. Archie loved being in the mountains, especially in the fall when he would ask anyone who would listen about whether they had seen the leaves. Never one to sit still, Mr. Gary started several new businesses, including a limousine service taking passengers to the World's Fair in Knoxville. Moving to Riverdale in the late 50's, Archie and Carolyn joined First United Methodist Church of Riverdale. They remained members until their death. Mr. Gary and his family would like to thank the many caregivers who cared for him during the last years. The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 PM on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville. A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 7, 2016 at Pleasant Grove Cemetery across from the First United Methodist Church of Riverdale. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mr. Gary's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, Georgia Chapter, 41 Perimeter Center East, #550, Atlanta, GA 30346, or online at http://www.alz.org/. Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home www.mowellfuneralhome.com