Gary Gilbert McHenry was born to Willie Hazel Young McHenry and the late Oscar Gilbert McHenry on September 9, 1954, in Troutman, N.C. From an early age, he enjoyed the closeness of his extended family and took great pride in knowing the lineage and history of both sides of his family.
Gary had many passions throughout his life. He loved sports, music, travel, writing, and his faith. His love for sports began in childhood and continued throughout his life. He especially followed teams from North Carolina and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). While he appreciated professional sports, high school and college athletics were his true favorites. His depth of knowledge was remarkable, and he could recall statistics, analyze team performance, and discuss players’ journeys from college to the professional level with great detail and enthusiasm.
After graduating from South Iredell High School, Gary entered the workforce and held a variety of positions, each of which he approached with dedication and enjoyment. He often used his bicycle as his main mode of transportation and was a familiar sight riding through his community. Music was another of Gary’s great loves. He listened to and wrote about soul, R&B, and funk, but gospel music—the sound of his upbringing—held a special place in his heart. His writing often reflected his faith and his deep hope for others. The insights he shared were thoughtful, rooted in his spiritual belief and genuine compassion.
Gary’s connection to his mother, Willie Hazel, was profound. Their bond was one of devotion, mutual care, and lasting respect. When they moved together from Troutman to Statesville, that relationship remained central to his life. Through all of life’s changes, Gary’s small-town roots, strong sense of family, and enduring faith never wavered.
He also had an extraordinary sense of direction. Although he did not drive, Gary could describe interstate routes and give directions to nearly any destination with confidence and precision. Much like his spiritual journey, he seemed to know the path to take, even without ever having traveled it himself.
Gary Gilbert McHenry will be remembered for his intelligence, humor, kindness, and unwavering faith. His presence enriched the lives of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.
Gary leaves to cherish the memory of his life his loving mother, Willie Hazel Young McHenry; aunts, Mary Dalton McHenry, Barbara Banks, Eva Neill Gunnings, and Vancella Broadus; cousins, Robin (Al Collins) Gerald, Keith (Kimberly) Burress, Deborah (William) Brower, Karen Young McCoy, Michael (Lisa) Young, Michael (Veronica) Gerald, Maria Gerald Troy, Jimmy (Sarah) McHenry, Brenda Tenor and Cynthia Johnson; a special family friend, Barbara Saddler; special neighbors, John and Michelle Byard; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Rutledge & Bigham Mortuary is serving the McHenry family.