Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 5, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Dr. Gary Heeseman, Jr., 86, of Charlotte, NC passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2025, unexpectedly at his home.  The son of the late Dr. Gary Heeseman and Brantley Nichols Heeseman of Charlotte, NC.

Gary grew up in Charlotte and graduated from Myers Park High School in 1956.  He attended Davidson College for his undergraduate degree.  Gary followed in his father’s footsteps and received his doctorate in Dental Medicine from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He immediately went into the Armed Forces to serve his country as a Captain in the Air Force stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.

Gary met his lovely bride, Betty, while attending UNC and they were married in 1962.  After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, he returned to Charlotte in 1965 to open his dental practice on Randolph Road.  Known affectionately as Doc by friends and patients, he had a successful practice that served the Charlotte community for over 48 years.  He was known as the gentle dentist with an artistic eye.  He loved taking care of his patients and the clinical staff that served beside him for almost five decades.

Gary was a devoted husband, father, grandfather (Papa), brother and friend. He and Betty were always present at the kid’s and grandkid’s ballgames cheering them on and supporting their activities. He loved spending time with his family and friends.

Golf and playing cards at Charlotte Country Club were two of his true passions in life.  He started playing golf at a young age, and he excelled at the sport.  At 14, he competed in the Junior National Golf Tournament in Los Angeles.  He was a member of the Myers Park High School and Davidson College golf teams where he competed and won numerous tournaments and conference championships.  He continued playing as an adult at Charlotte Country Club where he was a member for over 40 years.

He grew up attending Myers Park Presbyterian Church and was a lifelong member.  His faith formation was strongly influenced by his parents and the church.  He and Betty passed this on to their children by guiding and role modeling the Christian faith.  His family is comforted by knowing his salvation is secured through Jesus Christ.

In his retirement, he loved to read and work the daily crossword and sudoku in the newspaper. He attended The Ivey on a regular basis which was a blessing to Betty as Gary’s devoted caregiver.  Gary enjoyed drawing and painting. He used his skills as a cosmetic dentist to become a prolific artist that went by the name, MOZ.  His artistic talents were recognized by The Ivey and were displayed in their art room and exhibited in Matthews, NC. 

https://www.thecharlotteweekly.com/southcltweekly/dementia-patients-develop-sense-of-purpose-through-art/article_6d0cdd70-d099-59a2-ba1b-671fb7b4c311.html

Gary is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Mishoe Heeseman: son, Gary Heeseman, III and his partner, Jan Jones of Charlotte, NC; son, Stephen Franklin Heeseman and his spouse, Luci Litaker Heeseman of Charlotte, NC; his grandchildren, Gary Heeseman IV of Charleston, SC, Margaret Elizabeth Heeseman (Andrew Dunn), Emily Elizabeth Heeseman, Stephen Franklin Heeseman, Jr. (Jayden Kraizel), and Katherine Lucile Heeseman (Skylar Rosini) all of Charlotte, NC; his beloved sisters, Betsy Heeseman Collins of Greenwood, SC, and Erwin Heeseman Williams (Donald) of Charlotte, NC; nephews, William A. Collins, Jr. (Cortlin) of Columbia, SC; Christopher G. Collins (Elise) of Greenwood, SC and Donald Williams, Jr. of Charlotte, NC and their respective families; and extended family Beth Tyson Heeseman and Anne Scott Hatcher of Charlotte, NC.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC.  A reception will immediately follow the service in Oxford Hall.  The service will be live streamed at www.myersparkpres.org/live for those who are unable to attend.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Ivey for their loving care.

Memorials may be offered in memory of Gary to The Ivey at www.theivey.com. 

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.