Gary Arnold Driver, 47, of Sylvester died Friday, February 24, 2006 at Phoebe Worth Medical Center in Sylvester after a lifetime of various illnesses. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. All who wish to join his family are welcome to attend his memorial service. Elder Raybon Lord will officiate with burial to follow at Eureka Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Monday evening, February 27, 2006 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson.
Gary was born on April 9, 1958 in St. Petersburg, FL to Audrey Jones Felicelli and Lloyd Driver, Sr., both living. He was preceded in death by his brother, James Driver; stepmother, Jeanette Cook Driver; and father-in-law, Jimmie Lee Gay.
Gary was a fun-loving, big-hearted person, who loved nothing more than making other people laugh. He was a hard-working man, but can be most remembered for his role as a husband, father and poppa. Of all things, he enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his grandson and new granddaughter. They were the highlights of his day and he the highlight of theirs.
He loved the sport of archery, which he was involved in for many years and truly enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had an infectious personality that you could only love. He made many friends throughout his lifetime through his good nature and humor.
He worked many years with the Archery Shooters Association in Kennesaw as a tournament director. He served proudly as a corrections officer for the State of Georgia and, most recently, he worked with Futrill's Used Automotive Parts in Poulan.
Gary is survived by his devoted wife of 29 years, Diane Gay Driver of Sylvester; their loving daughters and their husbands, Carrie and Tom Kolze of Sycamore and Candace and Kelly Pilkinton of Sylvester; grandchildren, Christian Kiser, Haley Kolze and Sarah Bos; both parents Audrey Felicelli of Brooksville, FL and Lloyd Driver, Sr. of Tifton; mother-in-law, Exie Gay of Tifton; brothers, Lloyd Driver, Jr. of Thaxton, VA, Donald Driver, Sr. of Brooksville, FL, Tony Felicelli of St. Petersburg, FL, Ron Felicelli of St. Petersburg, FL, Edwin Phillips and wife Dona of Fort Mill, SC, and Lloyd Cook of Thomasville; sisters, Christine Thomas of Phenix City, AL and Jackie Edenfield and husband Gary of Tifton; brothers-in-law, Jerry and wife Linda Gay of Tifton and Larry and wife Ruby Gay of Tifton; sisters-in-law, Barbara Clements of Tifton and Patsy and husband Mike Williams of Sycamore; and numerous nieces and nephews.