Gary Keith Rothrock

Gary Keith Rothrock, age 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 5, in
Statesville, NC. He was born on December 23, 1943, in Newport News, Virginia, to
John Reuben and Helen Welfare Rothrock. He was raised and spent the greater part
of his life in Forsyth County, North Carolina. Gary was a 1962 graduate of Southwest
High School. He worked for Greyhound Lines for many years, and his bus route led
him to cross paths with his second wife and travel partner, Sheryl.

Gary had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed exploring new places and working on
race cars. An enthusiast of both road trips and cruises, he visited each of the fifty
states as a major piece of his bucket list. In his younger days, his passion was
building cars and racing on dirt tracks throughout North Carolina, South Carolina,
and Virginia, with the occasional appearance on the asphalt of his hometown track,
Bowman Gray Stadium. He also found success as a car owner in old timer races in
the area. Gary was excited for the return of NASCAR racing to his hometown track,
taking in the Clash races on television as he prepared for the final checkered flag of
his life.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen, his sister, Janet, and his
wife, Sheryl. He is survived by his brother, Steve Rothrock and wife Audrey; two
sons, John Rothrock and wife Donna of Kernersville and Dwayne Rothrock and wife
Trina of Rural Hall; granddaughter, Brianne Hauser and husband Byron of Mebane;
grandson, Donald Rothrock of Kernersville; step-grandson, Josh Gerry and wife Lori
of Winston-Salem; step-great-granddaughters, Haylee Gerry of Rural Hall, and
Colbie Gerry of Winston-Salem; and loving companion, Polly Burwell, and her caring
family of Statesville.

There will be no formal service held to honor Gary’s wishes. The family requests
that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Gary’s name to the American Heart
Association or Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County.

Tributes