Gary Dale Hartsfield

TYLER — On July 25, 2024, Gary Dale Hartsfield passed into the arms of his Savior with family at his side, and under the tender care of Heritage Hospice and Reunion Plaza staff.

Mr. Hartsfield was born to Forest Dale and Shirley Taylor Hartsfield July 1, 1968, in Tyler Texas. He attended Tyler schools and graduated from Brownsboro High School, Tyler Junior College, and Sam Houston State University where he played on the Lacrosse team. In high school, he played football and baseball. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Gary was a supervisor with the Smith County Juvenile Center when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1996. Gary was determined to overcome, and after much prayer, several surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, he lived many years of an active and full    life. Although limited with his disability, he was able to enjoy many years of water exercise with Instructor Gay at the Olympic Center. He was a member at Green Acres Baptist Church where he met and married his sweetheart, Cindy.

Gary is survived by his mother, Shirley Hartsfield; wife of 21 years, Cindy Wilson Hartsfield; sister Debra Hartsfield Peters (Kenny); mother-in-law Dot Wilson; brother-in-law John Wilson; sister-in-law Mary Wilson Bare (Charlie); nieces Christina Stanger Pile, Bethany Peters-Navarro Callens, Katie Stanger, and Michael-Anne Wilson; nephews Kerry Stanger, Tyler Bare, and Dan Bare; great-nieces and -nephew Kyndall, Tessa, and Weston; and many loving aunts and cousins.

Gary was preceded in death by his father Dale Hartsfield; sister Sharon Hartsfield Stanger & brother-in-law Doug Stanger; Grandparents Luker & Velma Taylor of Jacksonville; Grandparents Sam & Cora Hartsfield of Tyler; and Father-in-law Fred Wilson.

A celebration of life will be held at Pleasant Retreat Methodist Church, August 24, 2024, at 2pm, with Rev. Richard Luna presiding. Visitation will be at 1pm in the Church Sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Heritage Hospice, 5070 Kinsey Dr, Tyler Texas 75703.

Special thanks to the staffs of CMF Hospital, MD Anderson Hospital, Dr. Mark Vig, Dr. Lester Collins, Reunion Plaza, and Heritage Hospice for all the excellent care he has received. Also, special thanks to the Jon Groth Connect Group, Gary’s DU Fraternity brothers, ETMC Cancer Support Group, Celebrate Recovery Support Group, and friends and family that have loved him, visited with him, and prayed for him. The family appreciates all of you.