Obituary

Gary Gene Lake, 86, of North Chesterfield, VA went home on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. He was born on February 2, 1940 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia to the late Earl F. Lake and Rosalie Handley Lake. He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Phillip Lake and Marilyn Carter; paternal grandparents, J.W. Lake and Hettie Lake; and maternal grandparents, Harry Handley and Martha Handley.

Gary grew up in Huntington, West Virginia where he attended Sims Grade School and Huntington East High School. He was one of the young paper boys of the day, starting at the age of 10 until the age of 14. He delivered morning, evening, and weekend papers. He then moved up to the donut shop, working glazing and dipping donuts. When receiving his driver’s license, he started delivering donuts. From delivering donuts, he moved to working with a local drug store. He went from school to the Army Reserves. After the service, he started his own contacting business. In 1967, he married Carolyn Sharp, and in 1968, their son, Jack “Tony” Lake was born. He left his contracting business to join MGM Corp in cemetery sales and management. He was responsible for the development of mausoleum sales in West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, North Carolina, and Virginia, and consulting sales in several other states. These sales programs enabled cemeteries to build mausoleums. He will rest at White Chapel Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, where he started his first Pre-Need Program.

He was a member of the Branch’s Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. He had been baptized at the age of 12 at Baptist Temple Huntington, West Virginia. He had a great wit and sense of humor. He loved his family, going home to visit, a classic car buff, driving his 40’s Ford, going to the beach, and RV camping. His son Tony said he had the ‘coolest dad ever’.

He leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Carolyn Lake; the joy of his life, his son, Tony Lake (Michelle); and two wonderful cousins; Larry Cartmill (Sandy) and Jerry Lake (Sherrie), who gave him great joy over the past years. His sister-in-law, Melanie Day (Jeff) was like a sister. Two grandsons, Joey and Jessie; two great grandchildren; his nephews, Coleman and Taylor Carter and family.

A visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Monday, July 27, 2026 followed immediately by a service at 12:00 PM at Morrissett Funeral & Cremation Service, 6500 Iron bridge Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23234. Fellowship to follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Boys Town, Disabled American Veterans, and VFW in Gary’s name.