Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
About
Gary Kepley Obituary
SALISBURY - Mr. Gary Kepley, 67, of Salisbury, went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at Carolinas Specialty Hospital in Charlotte.
He was born Jan. 21, 1943, in Rowan County, son of the late Garner Webster Kepley and Bertha Kepley Kepley.
Mr. Kepley attended Granite Quarry High School, the first year of East Rowan High School and graduated from Boyden High School, lettering in three sports at each school. His senior year in 1961, he was awarded the Rowan County Athlete of the Year. He earned a full scholarship to Clemson University and played under Coach Frank Howard.
He most recently attended Nazareth Community Church. He previously attended Trinity Wesleyan Church and taught Sunday School at Triplette United Methodist Church. As a child, he attended Faith Baptist Church.
Following college, he was recruited by Wiscasset Mills in Albemarle in the Management Training Program. Continuing his career in Human Resources, he worked for Cone Mills in Salisbury. He was instrumental in the start-up of MANN Truck & Bus, Inc. and Freightliner TMP in Cleveland. He retired after 20 years of service in 2006.
Mr. Kepley raised and showed World Champion Paint Horses, winning three World Champion and two Reserve Championship Titles.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Rose K. Arey.
Mr. Kepley is survived by his wife, Gail Gilleland Kepley, whom he married Sept. 28, 1986; sons Justin P. Kepley and wife Amber of Salisbury, Brett E. Goodman and wife Heather of Cleveland; daughters Lynne K. Robinson and husband Doug of Salisbury, Lindsey K. Hamrick and husband Justin of Rockwell, Stacey G. Moore and husband Cory of Mt. Ulla, Katie B. Kepley of the home; sister Shirley K. Russ of Faith; and grandchildren Garrison, Gannon and Gibson Kepley, Jez Hamrick, McKenzie and Chase Miller, Landynn Hinson and Jaelyn and Caden Goodman.
Service: The funeral will be at 4 p.m. on Thursday at Faith Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Mike Shoaf and Rev. Ernest Mullins. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Visitation: The family will receive friends at Faith Baptist Church from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Memorials: May be made to Nazareth Community Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 444, Rockwell, NC 28138.
Powles Funeral Home is assisting the Kepley Family. Online condolences may be made to www.powlesfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Kepley
Brenda Poole
May 12, 2010
We are very sorry to hear of Gary's death. He was a fine person and a true sportsman. My husband enjoyed playing ball for him when he was with Mann Truck and Bus. Heaven must have needed him as a manager. God Bless his family at this time.
Paul and Brenda Poole
Chandler Shaw
May 10, 2010
Justin and Lindsey,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Lee Lail
May 8, 2010
Gail and family, I will be praying and thinking about you all at this difficult time. I knew Gary from Freightliner. He was always kind to me, and I knew if I needed to talk to him that I could. Also, my mom Janice Lail really thought a lot of him. She said that he gave her her job at Freightliner. God bless you all at this difficult time.
Sincerely, Lee Lail
May 7, 2010
Gail
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May the Lord envelope you in His arms and give you strength and comfort in the months and years to come.
Patricia Gillespie
Ken, Brenda, and Mackenzie Overcash
May 7, 2010
Gail and Katie,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
May 7, 2010
Dear Kepley Family
We only new Gary a short time as my family were new members at Trinity. We had the privilege of attending several of his Wednesday night Bible studies. He truly made a difference in our lives and we are blessed to have known him. May our Lord bless and comfort you all during this difficult time.
Ruth Shuping
Peggy Landreth
Kelly Honeycutt
Karen Yates
TARA WILLIAMS
May 7, 2010
JUSTIN AND FAMILY,
I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS. YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. MAY GOD COMFORT YOU IN THE DAYS TO COME.
Sandy, Dean, & Clark Middleton
May 7, 2010
Gail, Gary will be missed by all who knew him. Our prayers will be with you as you face the following days when memories and feelings of loss surround you. We pray that God will give you strength and a feeling of peace.
Love, Sandy, Dean, and Clark
May 6, 2010
Thoughts & Prayers to the family. Cheyenne Collins & Family.
May 6, 2010
Justin, Lindsey, Gail, and families,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. I know how much you loved and cherished him. I am thankful I was able to spend some time with all of you during his hospital stay. I will pray for all of you. Please call me if you need anything. My sincere condolences...
Lori Tetterton
Liz Key
May 6, 2010
Gail - There are no words I can express to you that can heal the hole in your heart that you have now. I can't say to you that I know how you feel. Noone can know that until they have been there. Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you have been for a while now. You have been down quite a road for the past several weeks. I hope you can find some comfort in knowing that Gary's pain is no longer. He is SURELY in a better place now.
Janet Hager
May 6, 2010
Gail,
I am so sorry to hear about Gary. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Janet Hager
Debra Koonts
May 6, 2010
To the family: Mr. Kepley was always a very nice man to me at Freightliner. My prayers are with you all during this time.
God Bless You!
Debra Koonts
Judy Martin
May 6, 2010
Justin, Lindsey and Shirley,
I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you in the days ahead for God to keep you strong and and for all the memories past be forever in your heart.
Love,
Judy Martin
Traci Bostic
May 6, 2010
Justin and Linsey, I was sorry to hear about your lose. Losing a parent is difficult but God is good.
Kelley Lautzenheiser
May 6, 2010
Justin and Lindsey - I've known you both a while now through your mom and I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am for your loss. My family's thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Mary Shannon Haney
May 6, 2010
Justin and Lindsey,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I understand the feeling of someone being removed from your life when you think that you haven't quite had them there long enough. We know, however that we are not in control and are thankful of that. That does not cover the hole that is created when we have lost a loved one. I am praying for you and for your children in this time. Stay on your knees and He will never fail you...
Chris Earnhardt
May 6, 2010
Justin, Lindsey & your families: My heart goes out to you at this sad time, and you are both in my prayers. I was sorry to hear you weren't with him when he passed, but I'm sure he knew your hearts were with him. Watching you grow up through the years, I know your dad (and your mom) have been so proud of you, and don't ever forget that. The love of a parent is something strong and wonderful, and I'm sure you'll continue to feel that love, just as your own children know how much you love them. Love always to both of you!
May 6, 2010
Gail and family,
I pray for your strength throughout the next few days. Gary was such a kind fellow and I was proud to be in his family. Please know that I am praying for you and your family.
Desi Weber-Neal
Linda Hartley
May 6, 2010
I am so sorry to learn of Gary's death. We would have graduated together if he had not moved to Boyden for his last 3 years. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Linda
May 6, 2010
We are terribly sorry for your loss. Although we only knew Gary for a short time (we attend Nazareth) he was always so pleasant and a joy to see. Allow your memories and God's love to comfort you during this difficult time.
Love in Christ,
Mike & Jenny Cruse
Lib Kepley-Davis
May 6, 2010
Gail, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. My prayers are with you and your family.
Suzan Morrison
May 6, 2010
Dear Gail, So sorry to hear of your lost. Our most sincere condolence and support. If you need anything please let us know. Target Exterminators, the crew
Mike, Suzan, Jackie, Josh & Matt
Karen Lesley
May 6, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time of sorrow.
Tangy H. Roseborough
May 6, 2010
May your memories be of some comfort to you as you face the days ahead. Know that God is just a prayer, cry, scream away and only He knows what each of you are going through. Lindsey my heart is so sad for you but as you often said, "I know where my father is going and that gives me comfort."
Sending much love and support,
Ms. Tangy
Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results
Make a Donation
in Gary Kepley's name
Memorial Events
for Gary Kepley
How to support Gary's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Gary Kepley's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
