Gary M. Coward

Gary M. Coward, 80, of Charleston, SC, entered into eternal rest on November 21, 2021. His funeral service will be held Friday, November 26, 2021 in North Charleston United Methodist Church, 1125 East Montague Ave at 10:00 am with burial following in Carolina Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Wednesday, November 24, 2021 in the J. Henry Stuhr Inc., West Ashley Chapel, 3360 Glenn McConnell Pkwy, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Gary was born in Lake City, SC on June 1, 1941. He moved with family to North Charleston at a very young age where he attended North Charleston Elementary and North Charleston High School. He graduated North Charleston High School in 1959. He graduated at the Baptist College (Charleston Southern University) in 1972 with a BS in accounting.

He is survived by his wife, Vera Thomas Coward; nephew, C. Ronald Coward, Jr. (Nancy) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; niece Elizabeth Alice Coward of Mt. Pleasant, SC; brothers-in-law, Marin L. Thomas of Jacksonville, FL and J. Bryan Thomas (Diane) of Gallatin, TN; nieces and nephews, Kevin Long of Hendersonville, TN, Laurin T. Flick (Greg) of Sarasota, FL, Erin T. Duggan (Patrick) of Sarasota, FL, Kelly T. Robinson (Rasheen) of Jacksonville, FL, Jennifer Thomas of Jacksonville, FL, and Drew M. Thomas (Olivia) of Jacksonville, FL; great nephew, Clauson Ronald Coward, III of Mt. Pleasant, SC; great niece and Goddaughter, Addie Bridgham Coward of Mt. Pleasant, SC; great nephews, Jackson and JW Long of Hendersonville, TN, Brett and Will Duggan of Sarasota, FL, Jake M. Thomas of Jacksonville, FL, and Carter J. Robinson of Jacksonville FL; and great nieces, Riley Long and Mary Kate Long of Hendersonville, TN. He will be greatly missed by aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clauson Lyles Coward and Alda Matthews Coward; his brother, C. Ronald Coward; and nephew, John Matthews Coward.

Mr. Coward was employed at Westvaco and Ruscon Construction Company. He was one of the co-founders and owners of Coward-Hund Construction Company where he was Secretary-Treasurer. He was on the Advisory Board for the Bank of South Carolina (West Ashley).

His Civic affiliations were as follows: President of the Charleston Contractors Association, President of the Exchange Club of Charleston, and President of the Coastal Carolina Fair. He participated in the following organizations in various roles: Charleston Chapter American Heart Association, Carolina Youth Development, and Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Lowcountry Food Bank, 2864 Azalea Dr., North Charleston, SC 29405-8216 or a charitable organization of your choice.