Gary Filcon Braswell

Gary Filcon Braswell passed away on August 17, 2023. He was born on August 28, 1947, the third child of his heroes Elmo and Joyce Braswell. He had six brothers and sisters who he loved dearly. Wayne (Wayburn) Braswell, Ralph (Pat) Braswell, Elaine (Ed) Anderson, Lloyd (Peggy) Braswell, Boyd Braswell and Gail (Allen) Pritchard.

He was a rock-solid foundation for his three girls, Wendy (Robert) Walsh, Lorie (Michael South) Ollis, and Shelly (Dale) Horne, who were his greatest treasures. As a single father, he raised his girls with a kind and gentle hand, provided for their every need, never missed a game or school play, gave the greatest advice, and was always there when they needed him.

He was extremely proud of his grandchildren Brittany (Derrick) Bonn, Cory (Holly) Koontz, Amber (David) Eyler, Garret Horne, Toby (Destiny) Horne, and Grace Horne. He spoiled them with an array of swings, go-carts, trampolines, and much more in the hopes that their childhoods would be as great as his was. He had a whole new generation of 10 great grandchildren who he looked upon with complete adoration.

Gary was a mechanic and fabricator by trade who worked at Nelson Oil Company and retired from Broyhill Furniture Company, but he was so much more.

He was a dreamer, a philosopher, an inventor, an engineer, a treasure hunter, a dare devil, a rabid flirt, a race car driver, a theorist, a collector, a wonderful singer, a gun enthusiast, a piddler, a dog lover, a truth-teller, a hero to his grandsons and a shining example of what a man should be for his daughters and granddaughters. He was a Peter Pan who even at 75 retained his boyish need for excitement and his fun-loving spirit.

He was always ready to discuss at length pyramids, ancient aliens, universal mysteries, science fiction, grand new ideas he had, politics, and myriad other topics.

If he found a subject interesting, he didn’t stop until he knew everything there was to know about it. He went all in on his interests. An avid collector, coins were a particular obsession, along with antique bottles, tools, electrical insulators, license plates, any anything else that struck his fancy.

Gary owned and still lived in the home he grew up in, the house his daddy had built. It was undeniably his place on earth. He shared it with his constant companion, Punkin, his beloved chihuahua.

He is survived by many other close friends and extended relatives, including beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was simply too big of a person to ever accurately describe. Those who knew him are better for it. Those he loved and those who loved him will never be the same without him.

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 25, 2023 from 12:00pm - 1:30pm at Evans Funeral Service Chapel.

A private graveside service will be held at the Braswell family cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfuneralservice.com

Evans Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Gary Filcon Braswell.