Gary M Weatherford

Gary M. Weatherford, 68, retired employee of SWARCO and resident of Campbellsville Pike, died Sunday, December 3, 2017, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Tommy Clark officiating. Burial will follow in McCain's Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 2:00 - 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to McCain's Cemetery, P. O. Box 29, Columbia, TN 38402 or Maury County Animal Shelter, 1233 Mapleash Avenue, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born May 4, 1949 in Maury County, he was the son of Robbie Johnson Weatherford of Columbia and the late Gerald M. Weatherford. He was a 1967 graduate of Columbia Central High School and earned his BS degree in Marketing from Tennessee Tech, and later earned an Associates degree in Real Estate from Columbia State Community College. Mr. Weatherford retired from SWARCO as Customer Service Export Liaison after twenty-five years employment. Prior to his employment with SWARCO, he was Office Manager for eleven years at Weather Tamer. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed raising Angus cattle on his Eagles Perch Farms on Campbellsville Pike and growing hay on his Bear Creek Pike farm. A member of the Tennessee Technological University Alumni Association, he received the Distinguished Service Award in 1990, was a past Vice President, and served as President of the National Association in 1988-89. He was also a member of the Tennessee Technological University Southern Middle Tennessee Alumni Chapter and had served two terms as President, receiving Outstanding Chapter Award in both terms. He was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, National Leadership Honor Society. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Columbia since 1983, having served as committee member and past chairman of the Annual Farmers' Appreciation Night. Mr. Weatherford was a member of the Maury County Chamber of Commerce/Maury Alliance, serving on the Agriculture /Businesss committee. He was a past board member and past director of the Maury County Animal Shelter and served on the CSCC Continuing Education Advisory Board from 1980, ending his tenure as chairman in 1986. He was named Outstanding Young Men in America in 1986. Mr. Weatherford was very active in Mule Day activities with Tennessee Tech Alumni Association. He was a member of McCain's Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where he served as Elder and Sunday School teacher, and was a former Sessions Clerk. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Ann Prater Weatherford of Columbia; several cousins, Patsy (Jim) Young, Sandra (Glenn) Pierce, Nancy Hopper, Pam (Charlie) Huffman, Ray (Regena) Flowers, Kenny (Charlene) Johnson, Tanna (Randy) Carroll, Ricky Johnson, Susan (Larry) Carothers, Sherry Lanier, Russell (Patti) Weatherford, Lyn (Steve) Carr, Jean-Marie (Bill) Hull; and sisters-in-law, Gladys (Austin) Lance, Arlie Morris, Dot Prater. Pallbearers will be Scotty James, Tommy Cook, John Waldrum, Kenny Johnson, Doug Williams, Steve Howell, and John Boyd Cothran. Honorary pallbearers will include Russell Weatherford, Mary & Jack Weatherford, Freda & M. T. Potts, Tony Massey, Bill Hull, Patty Clark, Tracy McGlocklin, Gene Howell, Tammy Morrow, Joe Kelley and members of Columbia Central High School of 1967.