Gary Fortney

Gary Dale Fortney, age 66 of St. Amant, LA, and formerly of Beardstown, died Saturday, July 8, 2017.

He was born April 17, 1951 in Beardstown the son of Phyllis Phelps.

He is survived by his mother Phyllis Anderson of Beardstown; his daughter Marian Kelley (companion George Lee) of St. Amant; his son Spencer Fortney of Beardstown; five grandchildren Alaina, Adalyn, and Avah Kelley, and Isiah and Brooklyn Fortney; two sisters Stacey Robertson of Apollo, FL and Gail Self of Beardstown; and four brothers Joe Fortney of St. Amant, LA, Dennis Anderson of Key West, FL, George (wife Lynn) Anderson of Alton, and Russ (wife Julie) Anderson of Normal. He was preceded in death by his sister Beth Bailey.

Gary graduated from Beardstown High School and then joined the United States Marine Corps serving for four years during the Vietnam era. After his service in the Marine Corp, he began his career on the river, and was currently working for, American Commercial Barge Line as the Chief Engineer. Gary was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church, VFW, and was a Mason. Gary loved to read the Bible, cook, ride his bike, and was honored to be a member of the Bro Riders. Most of all he cherished his family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:15 AM Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown. Burial will be in the Beardstown City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 9-11 AM Saturday at the memorial home, where Masonic Services will be held following the visitation. There will also be a visitation held at Ourso Funeral Home in Gonzales, LA on Wednesday July 12, 2017 from 5-9 PM.

Memorials have been suggested to Guthrie-Pierce VFW Post #1239.

Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.