Gary Wayne Burnside Sr, age 69, of Kincaid passed from this life on Thursday, February 11th from complications of Black Lung Disease.
He passed peacefully, surrounded by family, as snow blanketed the Earth and with the sounds of his grandchildren’s laughter as they played in the snow outside.
Born June 14, 1951 at the home of his beloved grandmother in Kimberly, he was the son of the late John Paul Burnside and Virginia Frances (Bass) Burnside. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Rhonda Lynn Sharp, paternal grandparents Luther Preston and Sarah Alice (James) Burnside and maternal grandparents William Elmer and Marvel Frances (Stone) Bass.
Gary was an underground coal miner for over 30 years. He was well respected and held in high regard by the men who worked for him over the years. It was not uncommon for his children to run into “his men” who would always speak highly of the man he was and how much they enjoyed working for him.
Coming from generations of Appalachian men and women who loved growing anything and everything, Gary continued this tradition and took great pride in his gardens. He passed down his love of gardening to his children and grandchildren who you’d often find in the garden working alongside him. From spring until fall, from daylight until dark, you’d find him in his garden. And once all the work was done and not a weed was in sight, he’d sit in his chair by the garden, enjoying the peacefulness of the sleepy hollow he was born and raised in as well as the sense of accomplishment he got from growing food for his family, friends, neighbors, doctors, pharmacists and anyone else he could share his wealth with.
As much as he loved gardening, his greatest joy was his family. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and brother who was always there for you and would do anything for you. He loved wholeheartedly and unconditionally and anyone who loved him never doubted that. Gary was one of a kind and the world is much dimmer without his light shining on us.
Those left to cherish his memories are his wife of 47 years, Sherry Lynn (Perdue) Burnside; daughters Brandi Lynn Burnside, Amy Gail Burnside and her fiancé Scott Long; son Gary Wayne Burnside Jr; grandchildren Autumn Brooke Warwick, Franklin Robert Warwick and Lily Grace Stewart; brothers Mark (Lois) Burnside, Bryan (Sharon) Burnside; sister Cheri (Eskie) Preece as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
The family would like to thank all the friends and family as well as the friends of their children for their love and support over the last few months. Special thanks to his sister in law “Sharon Jean”, whom he loved like a sister, for her help in caring for him these last months.
Service will be at 1:00 PM on Tuesday at O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery with Rev. LeRoy Gray officiating. Burial will follow in Kincaid Cemetery at Kincaid. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home where expressions can be sent at www.odellfuneralhome.com