John Garrett Veazey, Jr.
Senatobia, MS
John "Gary" Garrett Veazey, Jr., July 11, 1942 - May 16, 2017. Senatobia businessman and civic leader John Garrett Veazey, Junior died peacefully at his home early on May 16, 2017, surrounded by his wife, daughter, sister, and dear friend of 25 years, Calvin Clark, as well as a devoted hospice nurse. He was 74 years old.
The family will celebrate and honor Gary's life 3 p.m., Friday, May 19, at the First United Methodist Church in Senatobia, MS. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and also immediately following at the GLIS Event Hall, 134 N. Front Street, Senatobia, MS.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Rebecca Hiner Veazey (Becky); son, John Garrett Veazey III of Hilo, Hawaii; daughter, Elise Veazey (Stan) Stacey of Nashville. He leaves behind one cherished granddaughter, Celia Christine Stacey of Nashville, and sister, Wrennie Veazey West of Sardis.
Veazey was born July 11, 1942 in Senatobia, to Mr. and Mrs. John Garrett Veazey, Senior, and was a life-long member of Senatobia First United Methodist Church. He joined the United States Army after graduating from Senatobia High School. He served three years in Germany in the medical corps at the height of the Cold War, where he guarded the Berlin Wall. After returning stateside, he attended Northwest Mississippi Community College for one year prior to attending The University of Mississippi, and graduating from Mississippi State University with a degree in Business Administration and Agriculture.
At age 27, Veazey was the youngest Toyota dealership owner in the United States and served on the National Advertising Committee for Toyota. He was chairman of the Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Ohio, and Kentucky District Committee. While visiting Scottsdale, Arizona, he met Malcom Bricklin, founder and owner of Subaru, and persuaded him to allow Veazey to become one of the first dealers for the Bricklin franchise in the United States.
Love for his hometown led Veazey to serve five years on Senatobia's Mississippi Main Street Board of Directors. He also served as its president and received the organization's first Beautification Award for remodeling his building on South Front Street. He was also past president of the Tate County Economic Foundation Board and served three years on the board. A Paul Harris Fellow, he was a 33-year member of the Senatobia Rotary Club. He was instrumental in preventing the closure of the USDA office in Senatobia. In 1989, following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps, Gary was elected to the Sycamore Bank (formerly Senatobia Bank) Board of Directors. He served as chairman of many committees including multiples term as a vice-chairman of the board.
During his long career, he combined his joint passions of agriculture and varied business interests. He was a real estate broker, developer and owner of Graceland Kampgrounds of America (KOA). Land was close to his heart and he especially loved the farm on which he lived for over 40 years. He and his wife enjoyed entertaining friends and family members on the Veazey farm and it served as the backdrop for years of pony-themed birthday parties, graduation, pool parties, and family reunions. He and Becky enjoyed many years of traveling including special trips to Istanbul, South America, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and many international cruises with long-time friends Beverly and Ellington Massey.
In 2006, Gary and his sister established an endowed scholarship at Northwest Community College in memory of their parents.
Veazey was a nearly seven-year throat cancer survivor, and ultimately succumbed to the long-term effects of cancer treatments.
Wells Funeral Home
662-563-5700
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Published in The Commercial Appeal on May 18, 2017
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