Gary Blake Rhudy, 80, of Independence, went on to be with the Lord on February 1, 2025. Gary was a lifelong resident of Grayson County and could scarcely bear to leave the place. Born in 1944, he grew into a red-headed, blue-eyed dynamo. He held his first job in 1952 and drove a car, sitting on books, in 1956. He graduated from Independence High School and graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He earned a master's degree from Radford College. He served the public as school bus driver, custodian, truant officer, teacher, principal, and administrator for Grayson County Schools. He helped more than 200 people get their G.E.D. He also served two terms as chairman of the Grayson County Board of Supervisors.

A diehard workaholic, Gary farmed in his "spare time" and in "retirement." He loved caring for sheep and cattle on his farm in Independence. He was the owner of Grayson Old Wood.

Gary loved many sports, notably baseball, a passion he inherited from his father, B. A. Rhudy, Jr., and North Carolina Tar Heels basketball, which he began following with his granddad in the 1950s.

A more generous, funny, and kind soul was never seen in Grayson County and never will be. Gary loved all people unless they were "sorry" or "just plain rotten."

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rev. Gloria Lancaster Rhudy, of the home, who fought heroically in a years-long battle with Gary's Parkinson's disease. Rev. Gloria and Gary served as a team to nine local Methodist churches. Also his brother and wife, Danny and Ann Rhudy of Christiansburg VA; uncle and wife, Ted and Carol Matney of Ashboro, NC; sister-in-law and husband, Anna and Bobby Cox of Independence; sister-in-law, Cynthia Bates of Kingsport, TN; daughter and husband, Jill and Steve Minor of Bristol, VA; daughter Pam Walker of York, SC; daughter Gloriana Rhudy McCormack of Galax, VA; Gary "Blake" and Claudia Rhudy of Wilson, NC; 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; numerous foster children and nieces and nephews.

Heartfelt thanks to Mountain Valley Hospice and to caregivers Cristina Hernandez, Sonia Lopez Ramirez, and Pattie Fields.

The family will receive friends at the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Independence from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, prior to a service of his life at 1 p.m. in the chapel. The service will be followed by a committal at Lebanon United Methodist Church in Elk Creek, VA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Foundation online at apdaparkinson.org or send contributions to P.O. Box 4162, Virginia Beach, VA 23452.