Herbert Gary Watlington

On December 30th, 2023, Herbert Gary Watlington, 70, of Floral, peacefully passed away at home with his devoted family by his side. Gary grew up in Colt, Arkansas, the son of Herbert and Ester Watlington. After Gary completed six years of service in the Army National Guard, he met the love of his life, Gail, and started his lifetime career in the laundry service business. Over the span of the next 25 years, Gary worked for East Arkansas Linen, Todd Uniforms, and Searcy Industrial Laundry. In 2003, he opened his own business with Gail and Brad. With Gary’s extensive knowledge of the laundry business and his commitment to treating others the way he would want to be treated, the three of them built HMT Industrial Laundry from one van operating out of Gary’s garage to a fleet of vehicles serving customers all over Arkansas. While Gary officially retired from HMT in 2017, he played an important role in the daily business until cancer no longer allowed him to come into the office. When Gary wasn’t working at the HMT office or talking to customers, he was gardening, fishing, hunting, or working on many projects around the house. His recipe for deer jerky was legendary. From sharing vegetables from the big garden he grew every year, to maintaining a stocked pond for the family to fish, to taking his grandsons deer hunting, Gary let us all know how much he cared about us with his actions every day. While Gary knew a great deal about many different things, you wouldn’t have known it unless you asked. He was who everyone turned to for thoughtful advice, a helping hand, or just someone to listen. He truly led a life of service to God, his family, and his work. He was much loved and will be dearly missed. During his fight with cancer, Gary would often say better days are coming. We can all take comfort knowing that he is in the arms of loved ones that passed before him. He’s found his better days. Gary was met in heaven by his loving daughter, Brandy, his father and mother, Herbert and Ester, his mom and dad by marriage, Otis and Goldie Floyd, his brother, Bobby, and his sister Melinda. Gary leaves behind his devoted wife of 46 years, Gail, two sons, Brad Watlington (Nicole) of Floral, Wayne Watlington (Tami) of Jonesboro, one daughter, Sandy Pennington (Rick) of Tennessee and seven grandchildren. He also leaves behind two brothers Jackie, Ronnie (Laura), and five sisters, Christine, Diane (Steven), Marilyn (Phil), Carolyn (Ray), and Gail. Along with his family, he leaves many wonderful friends and a close, supportive church family. Gary’s funeral will be held January 4th at the church that was such an important part of his life, Floral Baptist in Floral, Arkansas. Visitation starts at 1:00 pm and his funeral will begin at 2:00 pm. Pall bearers are Nate Tharp, Derek Tharp, Tony Bell, Adam Prince, Matthew Justice, and Jay Bradshaw. Brother John High will officiate the ceremony. Honorary pall bearers are Mike Tharp, Tyler Watlington, Weston Watlington, and Sawyer Watlington. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Floral Baptist Church Heartstrings group

Herbert Gary Watlington

January 13, 1953 - December 30, 2023