Mr. Gary Wayne Locklear, 72, of Locklear Road was born February 19, 1948 and departed this life Thursday September 10, 2020 surrounded by his loving family at Duke Medical Center. He is preceded in death by his parents: Mr. Gus and Mrs. Josephine Locklear; five brothers: Mr. Eberts, Mr. Edsel, Mr. Prentis, Mr. Gus Jr. and Mr. Lockwood. Gary is survived by his loving wife of 49 years: Mrs. Panthia and 3 children: Mrs. Nakesha Pierce (Chad), Mr. Garrick and Ms. Autumn; four grandchildren: Noah, Niyah, Christopher and Nicholas; brother: Mr. Eddie Mack; sisters: Ms. Bertha, Ms. Mary Frances, Mrs. Patsy (Russell) and Ms. Sara Elizabeth; many nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends.
The funeral, for family only, will be 4:00 p.m. Monday, September 14, 2020 at Locklear & Son Funeral Home Chapel with Revs. Matthue Locklear and Dr. Robert Mangum officiating. Everyone will be welcome to attend the burial service in the Locklear Family Cemetery, Locklear Road, Pembroke, NC.
Mr. Gary was a graduate of Pembroke State University where he was a proud member of the Braves Men’s Basketball team. He enjoyed framing and bringing beauty to everyone’s home and businesses.
Mr. Gary was employed at LOF for 27 years as a Human Resource and Development Specialist. He was called into Mission Ministry with the United Methodist Church. He was a Home Missioner, Robeson County Church and Community worker, member of Rural Life Chaplains Association and Native American Cooperative Ministry.
He was a lifetime member of Sandy Plains United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School and Bible Study for over 50 years and served in several Administrative positions. Gary was a part of mission work teams in Robeson County, South Carolina, Alaska, Guatemala, and Russia. In Bolivia, his mission work was instrumental in founding a rural health clinic that now serves fifty thousand people. Gary served as the NC Conference lay leader and was elected as the President of the Southeastern Jurisdiction Annual Conference Lay Leaders Association and Director of the Robeson County Disaster Recovery Center.
Gary touched many people with his gentle hands and loving words. He planted seeds of healing in this broken world that will continue to grow in his absence.
The family will receive friends from 3-4 p.m. Monday, September 14, 2020 at Locklear & Son Funeral Home.
In remembrance of Gary’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the UMC Mission Endowment or the UNCP Men’s Basketball Alumni.
20 Comments
Gary Wayne was my SS teacher at Sandy Plains and was a kind and humble man willing to help whoever he could. My sympathies to Panthia and his family.
We thought a lot of Mr Gary…he will be missed but today he’s wearing his crown walking on the streets of gold…Panthea…God will give you the strength and love everlasting. Cherish your loving memories as we all remember you and the children in our prayers. GOD be with you
My prayers continue for the whole Locklear family and community. Gary will always have a special place in my heart, as a CCW and Home Missioner. Shalom, Katie
My heartfelt condolences are extended to the family & friends of Mr. Gary Locklear during this most difficult time. I pray that Gods caring and comforting presence will be bestowed upon you and help ease the pain of your loss.
Sheriff Wilkins, we need Robeson County to do better about enforcing masks our local businesses. The Local Health Department has no authority to enforce this, so it is up to you and your office to get this pandemic under control. Please contact me directly so we can discuss. We owe it to my father and my uncle Lock to do better.
Dearest Panthia, children and grandchildren, our deepest sympathy is with you during what has to be the most difficult time in your life. Please know Mike and I love, adore, and are praying for your broken hearts.
Sending hugs and love today and always,
Your cousin,
Darlene
I so sorry for your lost. I thought the world of Gary he was a great gentleman and God fearing man. It was a pleasure to know him. May God bless your family and friends Gary will be missed by all.
Scotland county Farm Burau wants to extend our condolences to the Locklear family. Mr. Locklear was a great leader in the community and very well thought of. He will be missed by all.
We extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the entire family of our long-time friend, Gary Wayne Locklear. Gary was a man of impeccable character. Simply put, he was a good man, but, more importantly, he was child of God. His tireless commitment to producing fruit of spirit was evident in the many lives he touched over the years.
May the entire family find strength, solace and peace in knowing that he is now at eternal rest.
Gary was always cheerful and diligent in presenting himself as a Christian. He was a people person and is well thought of throughout the area. Our LOF reunions will not be the same without him as he was always grateful to meet up with old friends. We can all rest assured knowing he has finished the good race and will get his Heavenly reward. Condolences to his family of which he was always speaking of with pride.
Gary will be missed by all that ever had a chance to meet him. May the beautiful memories of a special loved one bring you comfort and solace during this time. Brighter days are ahead. With sincere condolences.
Trudy
Mr. Gary Wayne impacted my family greatly. He was always a dear and loving friend to my grandfather and grandmother. A friend, mentor, and colleague to my father. And always had words of love and encouragement for me every time I was around him. I pray he knew how important he was to all of us.
In the short time I have known him, I remember Gary as a strong advocate for laity in the North Carolina Conference and a man of faith. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May the peace of God and the comfort of the Holy Spirit be with you, now and in the days ahead.
Praying for peace and comfort that only God can give to Gary’s family and many friends.
Gary was a good man. I am glad to have been able to count him as a friend and colleague. Roger grace
Words cannot express my sense of loss, hurt, and pain at the passing of Gary. I have known Gary for over twenty-seen years, and he was always that loving, trusting, caring, friend, and brother that always offered encouragement. i send my prayers and condolences to the family. I ask God to give them a sense of peace and comfort in this most difficult. It is hard to hold back the tears as i compose this note. He was a true Christ filled friend and brother with unconditional love..He touched oh so many people. I thank Gary for always being there and with me in every step of the way in ordained ministry. There is a void now in my life that cannot be filled. I know that Gary’s love, spirit, and presence will always be with me. God grant a semblance of peace and comfort in this most difficult time.
Dearest Panthea,
My condolences to you and your family. I have been praying alongside friends for many months for dear Noah.
I have been lifting your family throughout this journey of life. Sending love from our family to yours. May God’s touch surround you in this time of deep grief. May Our Savior fill the memories you hold dear with great joy among the tears. Thank you for keeping Rural Chaplains Assoc. in your life. Love and Hugs Rev. Melany, from Maitland, Ontario Canada
Psalm 115:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord YAHUAH is the death of his saints.” Mr. Gary was the best framer of art that I could find He was also a wonderful person.
Gary was a special and unique person who drew me closer to God and the meaning of grace and love every time I was in his presence. I shall never forget the many long night conversations we enjoyed from the time we first met…..kindred spirits committed to ritual communities and congregations.,…..and oh the delight in learning about-hearing his description of the many day lililies he enjoyed growing before getting full time engaged in ministry. One of a kind special friend.. Love and prayers to Panthia and and Brenda Walker
During my time as church and community worker, I crossed paths with Gary a number of times. What I remember the most is the genuine goodness that exuded from him. I never knew then how active he was in the UMC outside of his mission work. His passing has obviously left a gaping hole in the lives of many who were touched by him. May His family and others close to him be comforted by many warm memories. (sorry to be so long in expressing these thoughts)
Add Comment