Gary Roger Hamrick

Gary Roger Hamrick, age 86, passed away peacefully at home on June 29, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on November 22, 1939, in Cramerton, North Carolina, to Horace Clyde Hamrick and Rubye Mae Dixon.

Gary was raised and educated in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, and in 1958 he was accepted into the newly established United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He graduated in 1962 as a member of the Academy's very first graduating class — an achievement he carried with great pride throughout his life. As a cadet, he was honored to march in President John F. Kennedy's inaugural parade. Following graduation, he served an additional four and a half years in the Air Force and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. His love for his country and his pride in his military service never wavered.

It was at the Academy that Gary's love of flying and of computing first took hold, and that fascination with technology shaped the course of his career. He went on to build a long career with IBM in programming and systems management, retiring after many years of dedicated service.

Beyond his professional life, Gary was a builder, a fixer, and a lifelong learner. He was as comfortable under the hood of a car as he was behind a keyboard, and he took great pride in maintaining and improving his homes and grounds, always striving to make them as functional as they were beautiful. There were very few things Gary could not do — and if he didn't already know how, he would simply read up on it until he did.

Gary was an active and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he spent many years serving others. He was called to serve as a lay pastor on two occasions — first in Germany, where he led a branch of military servicemen, and later in Colorado Springs.

Gary is remembered as a man of faith, discipline, intellect, and quiet generosity — a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who built a rich legacy of family, service, and love.

Gary is survived by his large and beloved posterity: 3 sisters, 6 children and their 6 spouses, 23 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

His Children and Their Families: 

Stephanie Lynn Gould, husband Richard

Richard & Rebecca Gould — parents of Maverick and Orion

Michael & Patricia Gould — parents of Leila

Rebecca & Russell Kiggins — parents of Ryker (deceased), Ronan, and Rylan

Brenna & Stephen Flanagan — parents of Holly, Luke, and Maisen

Shannon Gould

Andrew Gould

Brien Scott Hamrick, wife Amy Kirkpatrick Hamrick

Forrest Alexander Hamrick, wife Olivia Johnson — parents of Penelope, Blair, and Dane

Kira Simone Santiago-Aguiar, husband Sergio Santiago-Aguiar

Emma Elizabeth Bush, husband Tyler Bush — parents of Quin, Charlie, and Luna

Olivia Noelle Madsen, husband Tanner Madsen — parents of twins Miles and Drew, and Titan

Abrielle Claire Hamrick

Asher Holland Hamrick

Jennifer Young, husband Richard Spreier

Chandler Young

Michael Brent Hamrick, wife Tyra

Kate Hamrick

Stepchildren: Scott, Trevor, and Kevin

James Bradley Hamrick, wife Carlee Wright

Addison, Emmett, and twins Damon and Finley

Christopher Blaine Hamrick, wife Michelle Helie

Regan and Ainsley

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Horace Hamrick; his mother, Rubye Mae Dixon; his step-mother, Mattie Hamrick; and his sister, Donna Hamrick.