Gary Hardcastle's Obituary
Gary Ronald Hardcastle, a beloved farmer, rancher, husband, dad and Pawpaw went to his heavenly home on March 4, 2025 at the age of 76. A memorial service celebrating Gary's life will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Cornerstone Church in Wheeler, where family and friends are invited to honor a man who truly lived to serve. Pastor Erron Mercer will be officiating. Burial will be held in Wheeler Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to gather back at Cornerstone Church after the graveside service. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 7 at the funeral home from 5-7 pm.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Wheeler.
Born in Pampa, Texas on October 17, 1948 Gary spent his entire life in Wheeler, where he cultivated not only the land but also deep, lasting relationships with family, friends and neighbors.
Gary was the cherished son of Verna Bailey and Ora Ellen Hardcastle. From a young age, he demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to farming, planting his first crop at just seven years old after his father suffered a serious injury. This early responsibility ignited Gary's lifelong passion for agriculture, a commitment he upheld until his final days. Gary attended Wheeler schools all twelve years, graduating high school in 1967. While in junior high and high school, he was active in football, track, FFA, and excelled at pole vault, holding the school record for over 20 years.
After graduating from Wheeler High School in 1967, Gary attended West Texas State University, where he met the love of his life, Becky Turner. Their whirlwind romance blossomed in November 1967 after he splashed mud on her and her friends as he drove by in his Ford Galaxy, culminating in an elopement on May 23, 1968 after dating for only 6 months, as Gary insisted on getting back for cotton planting season after the semester ended, which began an incredible journey of love and partnership. The couple graduated together in 1972 when Gary earned his BS in Plant Science.
Gary was an active member of the First Baptist Church for over forty years, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and taught in the Youth Department. His faith was a cornerstone of their lives, guiding him through challenges and joys alike. In recent years, he was an active member of Cornerstone Church, where he continued to share their faith and love with others.
Gary's legacy as a respected farmer and rancher is matched only by his warm spirit and unwavering dedication to his family and community. He was known for his integrity, hard work, and a profound sense of responsibility to the land and those around him. His contributions to agriculture in Wheeler and his mentorship of young farmers will be remembered for generations. In 1972, Gary was named Farmer of the Year by the Wheeler Chamber of Commerce. Gary served his community as FSA County Chairman and served on the Wheeler County Tax Appraisal Board. Gary also served on the Wheeler Livestock Show Board, as well as the San Antonio Livestock Show Lamb Committee. He had a love of livestock shows helping his children and grandchildren show lambs through their school years, taking them to the local County Livestock Shows and major shows such as San Antonio and Houston. He truly loved fitting lambs to get them ready for the show ring! Nothing made him happier than to help a child learn the right way to care for animals through feeding and showing lambs. When his kids graduated, he mentored FFA members who wanted to show by taking them to county and major stock shows across the state.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Verna Bailey and Ora Hardcastle; his brother, Benny Brown; and sister, Edwina Johnson.
Gary is survived by his beloved wife, Becky; their children, Mindy Brashears and husband, Todd, of Wolfforth, Texas and Marcus Hardcastle and wife, Heather, of Wheeler, Texas: six grandchildren, Bailey Brashears and wife, Victoria, Reagan Brashears, Presley Brashears, Justin Hardcastle and wife, Kirstie, Houston Hardcastle, and Sierra Hardcastle; two great grandchildren, Lucy and Olivia Hardcastle; brother, Danny Hardcastle and his wife, Ravonda and their sons, Josh Hardcastle and Nick Hardcastle and wife, Joanna and their son Cade; nieces Shonda Huff, Jana Johnson and Kristi DeCluitt and husband, Chris; brother, Harold Hardcastle and wife, Peggy; brother, Donald Hardcastle and wife, Dana; siste,r JoAnn Standlee; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and many friends and community members who were touched by his kindness and generosity.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Parkview Assisted Living or BSA Hospice.
Gary Ronald Hardcastle will be deeply missed, but his spirit will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
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