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Garry Shelton Hanks, age 76, passed away peacefully amongst family on April 20, at his home in Georgiana. He was born on May 15, 1947, to Pressley and Iris McNaughton Hanks. Garry married Sheridan Moseley Hanks in 1969 in Greenville.

Garry is survived by his devoted wife, Sheridan, and their children: Mark Hanks (Kelly) of Prattville; Jeffrey Hanks (Celina) of Prattville and Alicia Hanks Hernández (Francis) of Pike Road. He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Hanna Hanks Taylor (Patrick), Gabriel Hanks (Kaileigh), Kendrick Hanks, MaCrae Hanks, Keirstin Gibson (Amberly), Hunter Gibson, Helen Hernández and Joseph Hernández; great-grandchildren Paislee Kayte Taylor and Emerie Ryan; numerous nieces and nephews and his faithful companion, Buddy the dog.

He is preceded in death by his parents, infant son Richard Matthew Hanks, sisters Allene Hanks Bolling and Dorothy Louise Hanks Snow and brothers Lewis Hanks and Billy Hanks.

Garry retired as a Sergeant First Class from the Alabama Army National Guard, having served active duty during Desert Storm with the 781st Transportation Unit of Georgiana and Fort Deposit. His military service took him to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the Panama Canal Zone, and Puerto Rico for various training activities.

In addition to his military career, Garry served as an ordained deacon at Shackleville Baptist Church and, later, became a member of Loves Way Methodist Church in 2021. He was a dedicated community servant, serving as a Commissioner for Butler County from 1996 to 2004, volunteering as a firefighter with the Shackleville Fire Department and as a founding member, and later Fire Chief, at the Providence and Mt. Pisgah Fire Department. He was also a member of the Butler County Sheriff’s Posse under Sheriff Joe Sanders. 

Garry worked at Union Camp in Chapman, for over 25 years serving as a supervisor before exploring other passions such as semi-truck driving hauling landscaping materials and surveying land alongside his good friend, Joe Shealy of Shealy Surveying. 

Garry was known for his hard work, dedication to service and love for his family and community. He enjoyed spending time with friends, tinkering with equipment, learning to fly and build his ultra-light airplane, farming, saw-milling, racing cars and engineering better ways of doing things.

A graveside military service will be held on Wednesday, April 24, at 3 p.m. at Loves Way Methodist Church in Georgiana, with Pastor Mike Holcombe officiating. Pallbearers serving are Mark Hanks, Jeff Hanks, Francis Hernández, Gabriel Hanks, Joseph Hernández and Patrick Taylor. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at 2 p.m. in the church. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your favorite charity, veteran organization, or Loves Way Methodist Church.

For online condolences, please visit www.dunklinfh.com.