Gary Herbert Carswell

Mr. Gary Herbert Carswell, 78, of Rutherford College, passed away on Thursday September 4, 2025, at Amorem, Hudson, after a period of declining health.

Gary was born February 18, 1947, in Burke County, a son of the late William Herbert and Pearl Hildebrand Carswell. He graduated from the Valdese High School in 1965 and attended Lenoir Rhyne College, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics. He worked for 44 years in the IT field, retiring in 2013 from Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation as Systems and Programming Supervisor. Gary enjoyed working outdoors and was a faithful member of the Valdese First United Methodist Church, where he served in various roles: Sunday School Teacher, Choir member, secretary of the Methodist Men and a member of the Methodist Park Maintenance committee.

Gary was married three times: Karen Gainey (divorced) and preceded in death by Merilevene Lail Carswell and Nancy Dages Carswell. In addition to his parent, he was also preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and David Parrish.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Kimberly Benfield and husband Alan, Daren Carswell and Derik Carswell and wife Nicole of Connelly Springs, NC. Also surviving are the apples of his eye, his grandchildren, Parker Benfield, Daren Carswell, Jr., Kemp Carswell, Taylor Carswell and Kate Carswell and one great-grandchild.

Funeral Service for Gary H. Carswell will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday September 7, 2025, in the First United Methodist Church, Valdese, with Rev. Dr. Brad Hinton and Jennifer Boggs officiating. Interment will follow at Burke Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. Sunday at the Valdese First United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be made to the Valdese First United Methodist Church, at P.O. Box 637, Valdese, NC 28690.

An online guest book and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.