Gary Allen Lodge, Sr.

Gary Allen Lodge, Sr., age 69, of Covington, VA, died Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Reston Hospital Center in Reston, VA. After his courageous fight with cancer.

Gary was born, February 19, 1954, in Alleghany County, and was preceded in death by his parents the late Russell Lodge and Clara Weiss Lodge and brother Richard Lodge, Ernest Franson father in-law. Grandparents Virgie and Harlan Weiss, Charles, and Virgie Lodge.

Gary retired as a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.  He was a former employee of Ford Motor Company, Hercules Inc. and Pave and Save and owned Discount Auto Sales in Iron Gate, VA. Gary built several homes in the area.  Gary loved to fly fish, travel, classic cars, and dirt track racing where he was two-time Natural Bridge Raceway Champion. Gary enjoyed riding in the mountains on ATV’s and using his backhoe. Gary loved to go to the drag strip and race with is son Allen.

He never met a stranger, and loved to lend a helping hand to anyone he met. He was an animal lover, rescuing many animals along his rural route. Gary was a member of the Alleghany Gun Club, former member of Issac Walton League, and a proud member of the NRA and Trout Unlimited.

Surviving is his wife of fifty years, Karen Franson Lodge of Covington; a son Gary “Allen” Lodge Jr and wife Sherry of Covington; a daughter Katreena Lodge-Burger and husband Chuck of Covington; grandchildren Abigail Persinger and husband Ethan, Allison Lodge and Branden Lodge; brothers Gene Lodge and wife Brenda, of Myrtle Beach and Michael Lodge of Clifton Forge, VA., aunt Phyllis Givens and husband Loyd of Covington, VA, along with mother in-law Phyillis B. Franson, sisters in-law  Sherry Higgins and husband Glenn, Christy Ioannidis and Bernie Waid, Donna Griffith and husband Jim, Tammy Slay and husband Randy, brother in-law John Franson and wife Tracy, and several special nieces and nephews,  and his loyal dog Taz.

A graveside service will be held at Carmel Cemetery, Gap Mills, WV. on September 23rd2023 at 2:00 pm

Memorial contributions in Mr. Lodge’s name can be made to the Alleghany Humane Society or Gap Mills Methodist Church in care of Eugene Arthur 130 Mill Field Rd. Union, WV 24983.

Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Friends wishing to send condolences may do so at arrittfuneralhome.com