Gary Wayne Anderson, born July 14, 1937, in Silerville, KY, beloved husband of the late Glenna (Trammell) Anderson, passed peacefully from this life to his Heavenly Home on October 27, 2026, at Williamsburg Nursing and Rehabilitation. He departed this life listening to his favorite song, “The Love of God”, with his daughter Kimberly by his side.

Gary accepted Christ as his Savior as a young man. He and his wife of 66 years, Glenna, were examples to others of faithfulness to their Lord, their family, and their local church. Because of their collective witness, many came to accept Christ as Savior. Gary was a lifelong member of Upper Marsh Creek Baptist Church where he had taught Sunday School and had given support in many ways for nearly 70 years.

Gary is survived by his life’s greatest treasures: one daughter, Kimberly (Jerry) Trammell; one grandson, Jacob (Megan) Trammell; four great-grandchildren: Kaylyn, Oliver, Emersyn, and Amelia Trammell, all of Pine Knot. Nothing brought him more happiness than those great-grandchildren! His face would light up whenever they’d visit, and he’d sure get a kick out of sharing his juice, cookies, and ice cream with them. He didn’t worry one bit about spoiling their appetites! Most important though, was his desire to live as a godly example before them.

Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Glenna; his parents, Jerome & Nola Anderson; five siblings, Jessie Anderson, Joyce Martin, James Anderson, Judy Anderson, and Roger Anderson; an infant son; and countless additional family and friends that he knew were awaiting his Heavenly Homecoming.

Gary is also survived by three sisters: Janice Love (Louisville), Helen Slaven (Springfield OH), and Deborah VanHoose (Somerset), and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews— all of whom agree that “Uncle Cotton” was indeed a favorite uncle. He will be remembered as that uncle who never failed to get them “tickled” with his special sense of humor and wit. Uncle Gary will also be remembered as unshakable in his conservative values and as a role model of integrity to his extended family.

Gary was a man of many talents: licensed airplane pilot, butcher, grocer, salesman, award-winning farmer, devoted beekeeper, and a life-long scholar of all things dealing with American History and geology. Particularly interesting was whenever he’d get to talking about the ancient geology and anthropology of the area encompassing his farm on Marsh Creek. When he’d get out his boxes of fossils or arrowheads, look out! You were about to learn more than you didn’t know that you didn’t know!

An avid reader, Gary’s interests covered many topics, but in his last years, besides the Bible, his favorite books were on Christian theology, particularly pertaining to Heaven. Praise God, we can imagine the sights and sounds he’s experiencing in Heaven at this very moment today!

Gary was a friendly individual and a favorite of everyone. At the Williamsburg Nursing and Rehabilitation, he was elected “Sweetheart King” and he was so proud! If you came for a visit anytime during his “reigning year” and wanted to take a picture, you’d have to wait until he donned his robe and crown. He was also (unofficially) recognized for giving the very best effort he could in physical therapy; for example, he distinguishing himself on the stationary bike for riding— as he put it— “to Key West and back.” Gary was always making plans to establish a strawberry patch “out back next spring” for the nursing home's kitchen. Right up until the last, he’d still be heard bragging to his visitors that he was “the president of this place!”

His sense of humor and his gentle grin will be deeply missed by those of us he leaves behind. Indeed, Gary will be remembered as a Gentle Man who loved his family, his friends, and his Lord. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Daddy, Opp, Oppy, Uncle Gary, Uncle Cotton, Mr. Anderson, Brother Gary...: “Well done, my child, you were a good and faithful servant.” Many people aspire to live a "good” life, but Gary Wayne Anderson truly did.

A graveside service and burial will be Friday, October 30, 2026, at 3:00pm at the Jones Cemetery.

Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Gary Wayne Anderson.