Garrett “Gary" Steven Cody

OLD SALT HEADED OUT TO SEA

We bid fair winds and following seas to Garrett “Gary” Steven Cody, aged 73, of Charleston, South Carolina who died on August 25, 2026, from a sudden illness. He was a self-made and successful businessman, climbing to the top of the ladder in his field through grit, determination, tenacity, and a can-do attitude. He loved to say he “learned by the burn” and saw failure as simply an opportunity to improve, both in his professional and personal life. He created opportunities for others to shine causing his employees to be dedicated to his business vision. Upon retirement, he transferred his career concepts from land to his love of being on the water where he built a small and successful business in Charleston’s boating community. During his career, his work defined him; he was driven and passionate. Gary instilled his work ethic in his daughters, step-sons, granddaughters, and grandsons who have also achieved success in their careers and pursuits, channeling his core values. They asked for and trusted his opinions and advice, seeking and receiving guidance and encouragement with unconditional love. Being a kind and good father, step-father, son-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, husband, and trusted friend that those in his life could always, always count on was of great importance to Gary. He loved his family and friends fiercely. For all of us, he was a rock.

Family and friends describe him as having “a giant heart,” being “larger than life,” being their “advocate when they needed one,” “a kind soul,” “one of the most approachable people I have ever met,” “the first one to jump into a fight for the little guy and for what’s right,” and “a true Captain.” He loved every day of his life and lived each one as if it were an adventure, saying he had no regrets, not even getting older, because to him, age was simply a number. He was young at heart, where, he said, it counted the most.

He was monumentally proud of his daughters and step-sons as well as his granddaughters and grandsons for the extraordinary adults they have become and for the fine human beings they are. Gary is survived by his daughter, Channon Mayberry (Brian), his daughter Cortnie George (Dennis), stepson Nick Francis, stepson Tanner Croft (Taylor), grandsons Josh Cody (Carmen), Tyler Dashner (Aiden), Justen Dashner (Madison), and Trayce Mayberry, his granddaughters Jenna Cody and Taylor Morris (Calob), four great-granddaughters, his sister Sandra Cody (Rick Draker), his beloved cat, Romeo, and his best friend, fellow adventurer, and adoring wife, Angele Cody. Additionally, he is survived by his boating family on Lake Lanier, Georgia, his Daniel Island family, and his salty marina family floating in the Ashley River.

A toast to “the leader of midnight capers and other shenanigans,” will be held with date, time, and location to be determined and posted to social media as soon as possible. If you choose to honor Gary in another fashion, please do not send flowers, instead make a donation to your favorite charity or animal adoption center in his name.