Charles Gary Southard passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Charles, known as Gary, was born on December 3, 1946 in Tampa, Florida.  He graduated from Midland High School in Midland, Texas in 1965.  From there he went on to earn a bachelors degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.  Then he graduated from Law School at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas.  After moving to Wichita Falls, Texas, he worked for H.P. Hodge in the Wichita County Attorney's office.  After that, he began a 10 year career working as County Attorney of Archer County, Texas from 1980 to 1990.  Finally, he went into private practice.

Gary met the love of his life, Jane Ann Smith, and they began dating while attending Texas Tech University.  Then, Jane, known as Ann, transferred from Texas Tech to the University of Texas to be with Gary.  They were married in August 1970.  Soon after being married, they moved to Wichita Falls, Texas and joined University United Methodist Church where he became a Sunday School Teacher.  Gary was a devoted husband to Ann, and they just celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.  Throughout their life together they went on numerous family trips all over the country and even a few times to Europe.

Gary was known for his acts of service to all that knew him.  He was on several boards and also president of the church board at University United Methodist Church.  He was a member of the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls North.  Gary served his Rotary Club as President during the 2015-16 Rotary years.  He was a faithful supporter of the Rotary Foundation being a multiple Paul Harris Fellow.   Additionally, Gary served on the board at the Texas State Hospital for many years.

Gary lived out his love for his Lord and Savior by loving all of those around him fervently.  He always listened intently to anyone he had a conversation with and he always showed how much he cared by taking the time to actually know people.  Jesus said in John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."  Gary also lived in a way that reflected Paul's words for God's love for us in Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Gary was also an avid sports fan of high school and college football as well as college baseball and basketball.  You could always find Gary at Christ Academy events watching his two grandsons, Grayson and Gavin, play basketball or at Holliday watching his grandchildren, Sarah, Aubrey and Jorden, run cross country, Kyndell play softball, and Sean march in the band.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Irene Southard; his sister, Linda Southard; father-in-law, Russell O. Smith, mother-in-law, Jeanne Smith; and sister-in-law, Jeanne Domercq.

Gary is survived by his wife Jane Ann Southard; his son, Michael Southard and his wife, Krystal Southard, grandchildren:  Aubrey Southard, Sarah Southard, Sean Southard, Kyndell Jennings, and Jorden Jennings; son Mark Southard and his wife, Janelle Southard, grandchildren:  Grayson Southard and Gavin Southard; brother-in-law, Charles Smith, sister-in-law, Krystyna Smith; brother-in-law, Russell Smith, sister-in-law, Dyesa Smith; and multiple cousins, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home on Friday, September 27th from 6:00-7:00 P.M. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 28th at 2:00 P.M. at University United Methodist Church, followed by a graveside service at Crestview Memorial Park.