Gary was a 1970 graduate of Terrell High School. After high school he attended the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services where he graduated with his license for Funeral Director and Embalmer. He began his career with Anderson Clayton- Bros. Funeral Home in Terrell. His mentors, Bill Clayton and John Harris taught him all the aspects of the funeral business and that is where he learned the importance of their slogan " Service Above Self." In his 40 year career in the funeral industry he worked for several other funeral homes. In 2001, he opened up his own business where he served funeral homes throughout Texas and surrounding states with their transportation and graveside needs. Gary retired in 2014, but after a couple of years he decided he wanted to get back into the funeral industry part-time. He returned to his roots at Anderson Clayton Bros. in Terrell for several months until his health started to decline and had to retire for the final time. He was proud to have served many families throughout the years and treated each family with kindness, dignity and respect. He never forgot the slogan " Service Above Self."
Gary married Vivienne Tankersley on October 16, 1976. To his union daughters Julie and Joni were born. His daughters were his absolute pride and joy and he always supported all their activities from grade school on into college.
Gary was a proud member of College Mound United Methodist Church and always willing and ready to serve on the different committees however he could. He was also a member of the College Mound Volunteer Fire Department in earlier days.
Gary spent his leisure time outside working with his cattle or in the woods at night with his hunting dogs. He loved his coon hounds and won many awards and trophies at all the contests he entered. Gary also loved attending high school, college or professional football and baseball games. A few of his favorite teams were the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and the Texas Longhorns.
Gary is survived by his loving wife Vivienne Tankersley Flowers of Terrell, his two daughters Julie Flowers of Paris, Texas and Joni Flowers of Tyler, Texas; his mother-in-law Maxine Tankersley of Terrell, Texas; sister-in-law Madeleine Brown and husband Richard of Anna, Texas; his cousins Edra Langhorne, Charlene Hill of Mabank, Texas and Joe Flowers of Terrell, Texas along with a host of other beloved family and friends who will miss him dearly.
It was Garys wishes to not have a public service. If you are interested, memorials can be made to College Mound United Church, PO Box 793 Terrell, Texas 75160 or to the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600 Doylestown, PA 18901 www.dementiasociety.org.
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