GARY JOSEPH HARBATH

DALZELL — Gary Joseph Harbath, age 88, beloved husband of 68 years to Barbara Marian Ankin Harbath, died on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at Prisma Health Richland Hospital.

Gary was born in Escanaba, Michigan, a son of Irvin Harbath and Helen Harbath. After high school, Gary joined the U.S. Air Force. While stationed in England, he met the love of his life, Barbara. They married and were soulmates for almost 69 years. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a technical sergeant, after over 20 years of service. He then went to work for Crescent Tools in Sumter, where he served another 20 years. Gary enjoyed playing golf and many different card games in his spare time. He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and friend, who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his wife, Barbara, he is survived by his daughter Karen Laverdiere and her husband, James, of Sumter; two sons, Karl Harbath of Sumter and Kevin Harbath and his wife, Tammy, of Falling Waters, West Virginia; a brother, Denis Harbath of Sumter; his grandchildren, Ronald DelBeni, Josie Mooneyhan, James L. Laverdiere, Cory Harbath and Gavin Harbath; and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Kim Harbath.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at 1 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church. The interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from noon to 1 p.m., at St. James Lutheran Church.

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com to sign the family's guestbook.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.