Gary Anton Thieker
December 14, 2023
CHARLOTTE – Gary Anton Thieker, 68, passed peacefully Thursday, December 14, 2023.
Gary was born January 22, 1955, in Columbia SC, son of the late Forrest Henry Thieker, Jr. and Truey Tarbox Thieker of Georgetown, SC.
Gary was named after the actor Gary Cooper, and his great-great grandfather Anton H Thieker. He was baptized at St Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church in Columbia. He enjoyed camping as a Boy Scout, and graduated Cardinal Newman High School in Columbia. He earned an associate degree in business from North Greenville University. One of his earliest jobs was driving a Safety-Kleen truck to work on a variety of machinery.
His career started with Sewell Plastics (later Johnson Controls) in Columbia. Gary was transferred to Charlotte around 1986, working as a Machine Operator making plastic bottles. Then he was employed by Weyerhaeuser (later International Paper) where he worked as a Machine Operator making cardboard boxes.
Gary was a member of St Peter's Episcopal Church in Charlotte. He was a dedicated and loving husband to Cassandra Lee Moore for 40 years. Gary enjoyed being a father, taking his children to Carowinds and other parks, cooking out, classic rock, watching football (especially Carolina Gamecocks and Panthers), and keeping up with the news.
Gary was diagnosed with COPD in 2010 and began experimental gene therapy in 2012. The family thanks the Alpha-1 Foundation and the Medical University of South Carolina for giving us many extra years with Gary. We are grateful that his brave dedication and survival will help other families dealing with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.
Gary is survived by his wife: Cassandra; three children: Alison, Stephanie, Henry; stepson Thomas; five grandchildren: Ewen, Elijah, Reana, Sabrina, Nadia; brother: Forrest; sister: Alicia; and three nephews: David, Zachary, and Daniel.
Funeral Services will be held 1:30 PM Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at Myers Park United Methodist Church Chapel, 1501 Queens Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207. Gary's family will recieve friends 30 minutes prior to the service. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to St Peter's Episcopal Church, 115 W 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202 or to the Alpha-1 Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.
Comments
-
Blessings and peace to this beautiful family on the occasion of Gary's home going. All the loved ones staying here for awhile longer will remember him often in joy and laughter until they're united again. I knew Gary through the light and loving presence of his daughter Stephanie, who followed his example as a caretaker among her family and friends. My ongoing prayers are with precious Stephie, Cassie, Henry, Alicia, and the many others who are now hurting but so grateful for the time they shared and that he's no longer suffering. Pax Vobiscum.
-
My sweet and loving dad,
We will miss your presence, your smile, your energy.
I’m so thankful for the time that we have had with you.
Thank you for taking care of us and loving us unconditionally.
Until we meet again xoxoxo
Your daughter,
Stephanie
Share your memories & condolences