He was born on July 03, 1956 in Shreveport, LA. First and foremost, Gary was a Godly man, and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 10 year old. He graduated Southwood High School in 1974. Gary was the Produce Manager and Supervisor at Brookshire Grocery Company for 40+ years. He enjoyed reading his bible and being a faithful servant. Gary was an excellent role model for his brothers and his sons. He was a simple man, a kind and soft spoken man, a man of integrity, extremely humble and loyal (a quality that was instilled in him by his parents), always had time to answer a question and solve a problem. No matter how small, he would give you the shirt off his back and would never expect anything in return. He was truly a friend’s friend. Gary was an avid/devoted LSU Football and Baseball fan, which he started listening to at a very early age, via transistor radio. He loved to cook for his family and put a mean bite on BBQ’n the best burgers and chicken around. Gary enjoyed, golfing, fishing, playing a competitive game of Rook and spending time with the “5 Horsemen”, who called him “Hoss”, big man, and big shoulders. When Gary spoke, everyone listened because what followed was sound advice, proven true, as well as watching old reruns of “The Andy Griffith Show”, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with the love of his life and soulmate, Wanda and grandkids, who called him “POPPOP”. Gary was blessed and will be dearly missed by his family. His devotion to his family and firm belief in God, supported him in his struggle with cancer and ultimately gave him peace.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Bobby Lee and Wilma Faye Hadwin; brother, Brian Laine Hadwin; maternal grandparents, George and Sadie Brown and paternal grandparents, Walter and Vida Hadwin.
He is survived by, his wife and best friend of 27 years, Wanda Stone Hadwin; sons, Justin (Heather) of Douglasville, PA., Jeffery Hadwin (Cheryl) of Stanley, LA, Adam Salas (Crystal) of Poplarville, MS.; daughter, Emalee Lancaster (Brandon) of Bossier City, LA.; brother, Todd Hadwin (Ann) of Shreveport; grandchildren, Ayanna, Hailey and Ella Hadwin of Douglasville, PA., Logan and Blake Lancaster of Bossier City, LA., Jayden, DaLaina and Dallas Barber of Poplarville, MS.; Uncle, Jerry Hadwin (Sara); sister-in-laws, Belinda (Billy) Loveless and Ruth Ann Stone and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Gary will be held Wednesday, February 07, 2024 at the Hill Crest Funeral Home in Haughton, LA. at 10:00 am.
Service will be held Wednesday, February 07, 2024 at the Hill Crest Funeral Home in Haughton, LA. at 11:00 am.
Officiating the service will be, Pastor Ray Raney and a eulogy will be by John Smith.
Pallbearers are: Justin Hadwin, Jeffery Hadwin, Adam Salas, Brandon Lancaster, Todd Hadwin, Christopher Hadwin, Mike Hadwin, Bruce Hadwin and Aaron Hadwin.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Logan Lancaster, Blake Lancaster, Dallas Barber, Rick Cody, John Battistell, John Belton and Huxley Belton, “The Horseman” Jack Huckabee, Ronnie Daniels, Roy Hahn and John Gill.
Special Thanks to Brookshire Grocery Company, W-K Home Health/Hospice (Mrs. Lucy), Dr. Daniel Payne, Dr. Michael Acurio, Oncology Team @ W-K Cancer Center, Ray and Alison Raney, Cypress Baptist Church, John Smith, Kelvin Riptoe, Ebony Casey and the best neighbors from Remington Drive.
