David Marlin Gandy entered Glory peacefully at home, held and surrounded by his family, on November 27, 2025, his most favorite holiday, Thanksgiving Day. He was born January 12, 1949, in Charleston, W.Va., to Phil Morgan Gandy Sr. and Mary Williamson Gandy, the second of six sons.
David’s heart was forever captured by the cutest cheerleader at the junior high basketball game when he saw Carolyn Louise Crawford skipping across the court as she gave him a feisty look because he was rooting for the other team.That was the moment their fairytale love story began. David and Carolyn created a life full of love that was so much more than they could have ever dreamed of.
Together, David and Carolyn faced all the challenges of life together, bound by love and guided by the Lord, exemplifying what it means to honor your wedding vows through sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer. David and Carolyn attended West Virginia University together where David’s love for the Mountaineers became deeply rooted. David spent his entire life as an avid fan of all Mountaineer sports and supporter of all WVU programs and endeavors.
David and Carolyn were married on August 8, 1970, in a wedding that was fit for royalty at Berry Hills Country Club. Carolyn’s parents, Dr. Bob Crawford and Dotty Crawford, welcomed David into their family with open arms. Through the years, Dr. Crawford (Pop) and David built a close relationship based on mutual admiration, respect and love for one another. This love and guidance given him by Dr. Crawford helped shape David into the young man he became during the early years of his marriage.
Being a big dreamer and entrepreneur at heart, David made his mark in the business world. David began his business career as a 20-year-old in Morgantown by running his own mobile home sales company and later his own mobile home neighborhood. David later moved into national sales for Boise Cascade, which included a territory in Lexington, Ky. One of his customers included the horse farm where Secretariat retired. David enjoyed getting to watch “Big Red” relax and stretch his legs in the Kentucky Blue Grass.
David made the decision in 1985 to leave his home state of West Virginia and bring his family south for better opportunities. It was in North Carolina that David hit his stride and created his business legacy that still exists today. David successfully brokered several of the most successful NASCAR sponsorships in history. In 2003, he saw the potential of a sleepy little Chevrolet dealership in Mount Holly. Within a year after acquiring Victory, David “had a good feeling” about several parcels of land in West Charlotte. He worked with various landowners and estates to put together a 75-acre parcel that would later have Interstate 485 run right through the middle of it and become the new home of Victory Chevrolet in 2016. Victory has now become one of the most successful Chevy dealerships in North Carolina. Every single customer that calls or visits Victory is greeted with David’s favorite tag line — “It’s a great day at Victory Chevrolet!”
David’s greatest legacy was his family. The love shared by David and Carolyn was multiplied beyond measure in Brandon Meredith, wife Amy and children, Clara Lynn and Cameron Morgan; Leslie Crawford, husband Doug Johnson, and children, Caroline Brynne, Jacob Alexander “Jake”, Molly Morgan “MoMo”; Bryce Morgan, wife Lindsey, and children, Tucker Mac, Gillian Kay “GiGi” and Brooks Morgan; and Lauren Catherine, husband Garrison Davis, and children, Dixon Crawford and Maxton Millsaps. David affectionately referred to his precious grandchildren as Pop’s “Top Ten.”
David committed his entire life to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through daily prayer and devotion, he relied on scripture for every aspect of his life. David walked in faith, always asking God to direct his life according to his favorite verse, Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path.”
The family will hold a service to celebrate David’s life on Sunday, November 30, at 2 p.m. at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville. There will be no visitation, and the private graveside service will be by invitation only.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Youth Commission International, Attn: Tanner Keith, 4108 Park Road Suite 101, Charlotte NC 28209.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Gandy family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.