Garry Evon Paddick, 86, of Brevard, North Carolina, passed away on December 12, 2023.
A native of Landes, Illinois, he was the son of the late Wilvin W. and Lovel Leola Paddick.
Born into humble beginnings in rural, southern Illinois, where the family farm had no electricity or indoor plumbing, he began school in a one-room building. Over the years, that all changed.
A graduate of the University of Illinois, he had the opportunity to work on the Illiac Computer, the third computer in existence. While there, he entered into the burgeoning field of computer programming, where he developed software for air-to-air defense simulation, computerized war-gaming and damage assessment for the U.S. Government. He also programmed the first National Football League tendency analysis system. The majority of his career was project and business management for a variety of industry and government entities.
He retired at the age of 55 and spent the next 13 years traveling in a motor home throughout the US and Canada. In 2005, along with his wife Paula, he traveled for a year with no itinerary and no reservations to enjoy the beauty of the United States. In all, he lived in eight states and traveled to all 50 states, played golf in 28 states and fished in 25.
While living in Brevard, he hosted the Country Legends Radio Show on White Squirrel Radio. He enjoyed singing country classics at Lake Toxaway and Cathey’s Creek Community Centers.
His loving survivors include his wife of 22 years, Paula Paddick; daughters Lesa Paddick and husband, Greg Grindstaff, Lonna Tucker and husband, Gregg, and Jaimie Ambrose and husband, Ted; two sisters, Barbara Grove and Phyllis Croslow and husband, Jerry; one brother, Don Paddick; one sister and brother-in-law, Rea Bennett and Jim Kaufman; grandchildren Chris, Karly, Trevor, Hunter, and Brittany; great-grandchildren Ehron, Marshall, and Jackson; as well as three generations of nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be conducted on Saturday, March 09, 2024 at 1:30 PM CST at the Waggoner Cemetery. Sivert-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Sumner, Illinois is in charge of the arrangements.
Please visit www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com to view the tribute and to send condolences.
