Gary Lee Glardon

Gary Lee Glardon, 66, of Maryville, TN, passed from longstanding medical problems on July 17, 2017. Having spent most of his childhood in Florida, Gary was always a gleeful Gator out of water here in Tennessee. As a young man, he learned to fish and play baseball; gifts he would share with his family throughout the rest of his life. His love for athletics helped him navigate a career through the challenging sports entertainment industry that culminated in his position as Senior Vice President of Outdoor Signage at Trans-Lux Corporation. In this role he traveled around the world and worked with the likes of the Cincinnati Reds, Penske Race Track and the Rose Bowl. He could be found on Friday nights rooting the Maryville Rebels on and Saturday afternoons demonstrating his favorite callisthenic move, the Gator Chomp. He enjoyed sharing this passion with others, sometimes as ‘coach’ and other times as ‘papaw’ to his cherished grandchildren. Gary’s affection for sports was bested only by his love for his mother, wife, children and grandchildren. He provided unwavering, tenacious guidance to his children as they matured through the years, promoting the values of strength and independence. Gary is preceded in death by his father, Charles Glardon. He is survived by his wife, Vicki Burns Glardon of 28 yrs., his mother, Ruth Glardon; daughter Amy Vaughn and children, Laura Fielden and wife María, Natalie Helton and husband Rob and son Taylor Fielden and wife Anastasiya; his godson Landon Roberts and family, and his grandchildren|: Christian, Cameron, Colton, Lía and Mei. Family graveside services will be held at Chilhowee Cemetery in Seymour, TN, with a funeral procession from Smith Funeral and Cremation Service (1402 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803) to begin at 9:00 on Saturday the 22nd of July. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Tennessee Alzheimer’s (https://www.alztennessee.org/) in honor of his mother, Ruth Glardon. Fellowship and Reception with follow the service from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM at the Life Event Center, 1404 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Gary Lee Glardon please visit our Sympathy Store.