G. Gary Cozort

George Gary Cozort, 75, of Drexel, passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2014 in Drexel, NC. Born August 20, 1938 in Caldwell County, he was the son of the late Stuart Lee Cozort, Sr. and Margaret Mae Keever Cozort of Morganton, NC. Gary is preceded by his sister-in-law, Jane Wilkinson Cozort of Valdese, NC and his brother-in-law, Richard Cook of Florida.

Gary was owner and operator of Cozort Builders alongside his father for more than 45 years and retired from Blue Ridge Community Action. He was a member of Drexel First Baptist Church where he served on the Board of Deacons, as well as several other committees of the church. Gary served on the first board of Burke County Hospice, was a retired member of the Triple Community Fire Department, the Drexel Fair Board, and was involved in activities that were held in and around the Drexel Community alongside his wife – Drexel Street Festivals, the Singing Christmas Tree, and the Drexel Alumni Association. He also constructed stages for the high school musicals held in and around Drexel. Outside his activities of service, George Gary enjoyed fishing, growing his garden, and spending time with family and friends.d his brother-in-law, Richard Cook of Florida.

Gary is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sue Cook Cozort; two daughters, Patricia Kim and husband, Ken Kay of Jupiter, FL and Kathy Cozort Oliver of Drexel, NC; two grandchildren, Brianna Leigh Oliver of Washington, DC and Dan Thomas Cozort Oliver of Raleigh, NC, student at N.C. State University.

Gary is also survived by seven siblings: Stuart Cozort, Jr. and wife, JoAnn of Conover, NC, Ben Cozort of Valdese, NC, Sybil Butler and husband, Jerry of Glen Alpine, NC, Nancy Clark and husband, George of Oak Hill, NC, Dottie Fox and husband, Ronnie of Salem, NC, Dale Cozort and wife, Rachel of Morganton, NC, Jack Cozort and wife, Kathy of Raleigh, NC, along with many nieces and nephews. Furthermore, he is survived by sister-in-law Dwaina Renee Cook Humphries and husband, Don of Charlotte, NC and Harold Dean Cook, brother-in-law of Charlotte, NC.

A service of remembrance will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, August 3, 2014, at Drexel First Baptist Church followed by a receiving of friends. The Rev. Dr. Robert Shepherd will officiate. The casket will lie in state at Drum Funeral Home in Hickory, located at 940 29th Avenue, NE, Hickory, NC 28601 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Saturday, August 2, 2014. A private committal service for family will be held at Burke Memorial Park prior to the service.

Pallbearers are his six nephews: Stuart Cozort III, Chris Cozort, Jeff Butler, Travis Clark, Randy Fox and Jackson Cozort. Honorary pallbearers are retired members of the Triple Community Fire Department who served alongside Gary, as well as members of his Sunday school class at Drexel First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Gary to Drexel First Baptist Church Music Fund, PO Box 301, Drexel, NC 28619 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.