Gary D. Lauderdale

Gary Don Lauderdale crossed the bar at home in Franklin, Indiana on July 23, 2026 while in the loving care of his family. He was eighty years old. He grew up in Holland, Indiana and graduated from Holland High School in 1963 in a class of 20 students. He subsequently attended and graduated from the University of Evansville earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He was employed as an accountant by Texas Gas Transmission Corporation in Owensboro, Kentucky. He entered military service during the Vietnam War and graduated from the US Army Infantry Officer Candidate School. His military service included a one year tour of duty in Vietnam. He returned to Texas Gas after three years of military service and was blessed to meet and marry the love of his life, Gayle. Together they raised a family of 3 lovely daughters along with numerous cats and dogs. Gary also returned to the University of Evansville, earning a Master’s In Business Administration in the evening. Gary retired in 2002 from Williams Gas Pipeline Co after a 35-year career in the interstate natural gas industry. He held professional and senior management positions in the areas of regulations, finance, business development and customer service. He also served for seven years as the Chief Operating Officer of various Williams-owned corporations. He was a frequent witness before regulatory agencies and congressional committees. Following retirement, he spent several years as Managing Director of Lukens Energy Group, providing senior-level advisory services to the energy industry and investment community.

During his career, Gary served on many public service boards including Kentucky Wesleyan College, Owensboro Salvation Army, United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast and DePelchin Children’s Center of Houston. In 2004, Gary and Gayle relocated to the Isle of Palms, SC and were active members of the community for 18 years. He served 5 years on the Wild Dunes Community Association Board, including three years as board president. He was a board member and president of the Wild Dunes Yacht Harbor Council of Wild Dunes. Gary and Gayle were members of the Wild Dunes Golf Associations and Charter members of the Wild Dunes Yacht Club. They very much enjoyed cruising the waters of the intercostal waterway with family and friends. They were active members of the First United Methodist Church of Isle of Palms. In 2020, Gary and Gayle relocated to Franklin, Indiana to be near family and enjoy small town Indiana hospitality. They are members of Grace United Methodist Church and have enjoyed their time in the community. Gary particularly appreciated the friendships and camaraderie of the John Norton coffee group. He also enjoyed observing the growth and evolution of Wild Geese Bookshop.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Nolen and Viola Lauderdale, a sister, Janet Stanton, and grandson, Jake Simmer. He is survived by his loving wife Gayle Lauderdale and daughters, Tonya Lauderdale Harper (Brian Dobbs) of Katy, Texas, Tara Lauderdale Simmer of Richmond, Texas and Tiffany Lauderdale Phillips (George Phillips) of Franklin, Indiana. He was blessed with eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Logan Harper (Sarah Katz) of Marina Del Ray, California; Kelsey Thompson (Ian Thompson) of Birmingham, Alabama, and their daughter Dawn Lauderdale Thompson; Colby Harper (Samantha Skaggs) of Brooklyn, New York; Kaytlin Simmer (Sikandar Khan) of Houston, Texas; Jacklyn Simmer of Richmond, Texas, Jake Simmer (deceased); and Auden Lauderdale Phillips and Nolen Phillips of Franklin, Indiana.

Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on August 1, 2026 at Grace United Methodist Church located at 1300 E Adams Drive, Franklin, IN 46131 and will be live-streamed at www.franklingrace.org live stream service tab. Inurnment will immediately follow the service at the Columbarium at Grace United Methodist Church with military honors being conducted by the United States Army Honor Guard and Franklin American Legion Post 205 Honor Guard.

A reception for family and friends will immediately follow the service at the Garment Factory Events Center Province Room located at 101 E Wayne Street, Franklin, IN 46131.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated for Grace United Methodist Church of Franklin, Indiana 1300 East Adams Drive Franklin, IN 46131 or The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516 Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or at www.Wounded Warrior Project.

Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.

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