Obituary of Gary Edward Ware, Sr.

Gary Edward “Big Gary” Ware, Sr.  – Gilbert – A memorial gathering for Gary E. Ware, 64, of Gilbert will be held from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Thursday, September 26, 2019. Woodridge Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the family.

“Big Gary” Ware passed away September 15, 2019 at his home. Born in Columbia, he was the son of the late Herman and Margaret Pearl Crolley Knotts. Big Gary was a simple family man who loved Gamecocks football and NASCAR racing. He was also an animal lover who enjoyed the country life, and riding dirt roads. Prior to his last few years, Big Gary had lived a very active life. From an early age, he taught his children to enjoy sports and horseback riding at the family farm, which featured 6 horses. The family later moved to Gilbert, where he enjoyed the quiet and calm of country life.

Big Gary also taught his children to love one another, to get along, and to regard family first. Over the years, he became a proud grandfather, or “Papa”, as he liked to be called, to 15 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gary Ware, Sr., was an extraordinary man with an extraordinary talent for cooking. He was a man few will be able to forget. He will be missed beyond description, but one day his family will see him and their sister Courtney again. Until that time, he will live on through the memories he made with his children, grandchildren and his former wives.

“Big Gary” is survived by his children; son, Gary E. Ware, Jr., daughters, Shanna Ware, Amy Gallegos (C.J.), Jennifer Joiner; grandchildren, Tyler and Cameron Ware, Jade and Jordinn Sanders, Cruz Carrion, Kylie, Hayden and Isiah Daigle, Angel and Logan Gallegos, Mikey, Dillon, Benjamin and Amber Joiner. “Big Gary” is also survived by his former spouses, Karen Dover and Nancy Whitehead, great granddaughter, Anastasia Joiner and a large and loving family. In addition to his parents, Gary was predeceased by his daughter, Courtney Margarett Ware, and a granddaughter, Brittany Joiner.

A good man and a great father is gone from us, but he will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oliver Gospel Mission, 1100 Taylor St, Columbia, SC 29201.