Gary E. Bernhardt, age 70, of Murphy, NC passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2017 in Jackson County, NC.
He was born in Rowan County, NC to the late William C. and Bertie Inez Drake Bernhardt. He had been an off-road trucker and retired in 2012 from Cooks Carpet where he had been an installer and salesman. Gary was a US Army veteran serving in the Vietnam War and receiving the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Presidential citation and the Combat Infantry Badge. He was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Bernhardt and sister, Diann Burkett.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carolyn McDonald Bernhardt; two daughters, Angie Bernhardt Phillips of Hendersonville, NC and Debra Darlene Bernhardt of Murphy, NC; sister, Brenda Bernhardt Lowder and husband Johnny of Kannapolis, NC; two grandchildren, Corey Phillips and wife Lisa of Franklin, NC and Zach Phillips also of Franklin, NC; three great-grandchildren, Caden, Kyleigh and Kason Phillips all of Franklin, NC.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM, Friday, April 14, 2017 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy, NC. Revs. Ronnie Palmer, Leon McDonald and Chip Gribble will officiate. Burial will be in the Hampton Memorial Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the V.F.W. Post #10222, Joe Miller Elkin American Legion Post #96 and D.A.V. Chapter #73 and American Legion Post #532 of Hayesville and V.F.W. Post #6812. Pallbearers will be Corey Phillips, Zach Phillips, Harold Woody, Tracy Smith, Charlie Bearden and Rex Woody.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM, Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.
Townson Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at
www.townson-rose.com
Sheridan Harley Dockery 
