Henry Gammon

On May 12, 2013 Henry Oakes Gammon ,age 78, passed away at Danville Regional Medical Center after a struggling battle with COPD and respiratory difficulties. Henry was born on September 4, 1935 to the late Sam Henry Gammon and Thelma White Gammon. As Henry grew up, he did not have the glorified childhood so many children have today, rather, he and his family worked a farm not only to provide for themselves, but to gain their income. The work ethics instilled in Henry at such a young age would prove beneficial later in life when he entered the work force. At age 18 Henry joined the Air Force and began specializing in machining sheet metal to re-wrap planes and to provide protection against the purging enemy and he served in the Korean Conflict. Upon completion of his service, Henry fell back to his roots and began farming both with his family and for himself. Further, Henry married the late Geneva Tate Gammon and they started a family with the birth of their first and only child, the late Daren Tilton Gammon. Through the majority of Henry's life he worked at Overnight, now UPS Freight, and drove transfer trucks all around the Virginia/North Carolina cities and towns. Henry's hard work ethic and military background lead him to be a stickler for detail and a success while driving his truck; he consistently had a safe driving record and was a very peculiar man when it came to his "big rig". Along his time driving for Overnight, Henry met many people, made many friends, and obtained numerous stories and good laughs from his experiences. Upon his retirement at the age of 65, Henry settled down on a piece of property in Pelham, NC and spent his time with his grandchildren (Jonathon and Chandler Gammon) and family. Henry loved his boys and enjoyed teaching them how to fish, farm, and be a good ole southern gentleman. Henry Oakes Gammon will be missed, but the memories and knowledge that he has passed down to so many over the years will never be forgotten, and that is something many of us can be thankful for. We Love you Granddaddy, see you soon! The survivors of Henry Oakes Gammon include his siblings: Jack Gammon, Marvin Gammon, and Iris Gammon Scarce, his daughter-in-law, Cindy Potojecki Gammon, and his two grandchildren Jonathon Michael Gammon and Chandler Mason Gammon. The funeral service will be held at Danville Memorial Gardens on May 17, 2013 at 2 p.m. The funeral will consist of graveside rights followed by burial of the cremains.