Obituary of Gary Allison Obenchain

Gary A. Obenchain, 63, of Thaxton went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 23, 2015. Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Miller Obenchain, his father, Felix A. Obenchain and a brother, Steven G. Obenchain. Gary retired as a welding supervisor with Norfolk Southern Corp. after 37 years of service. He was a volunteer at Mill Mountain Zoo serving as a "Zoo Choo" Engineer, and was a member of Virginia Live Steamers. Gary was an avid baseball fan and played catcher for William Fleming High School and the American Legion Post #248. Surviving are his children, Shannon Obenchain Akers and husband, John, Mitchell Obenchain and wife, Lacey and Erin Obenchain Myers and husband, William; grandchildren Cody, Dylan and Ty Akers and Alivia and Emma Myers; mother, Evelyn Obenchain; sister, Robin Patrick and husband, Mike; a number of nieces and nephews; and his buddy, Mack.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Fire Up 611 Fund C/O Virginia Museum of Transportation 303 Norfolk Avenue Roanoke, Va. 24016.Funeral services will be held 2 PM Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road. The family will receive friends from noon Saturday until service time. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home. 366-0707