Gary Wayne “Hank” Drees

Gary Wayne Drees lovingly known as “Hank’ passed away on December 4 after a very short battle with cancer. He was 54. Gary was a devoted husband, son, brother and uncle. He grew up in York County and was a 1988 graduate of Tabb High School. Gary had a contagious laugh and smile that would light up the room. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. To know him was to love him.
Gary was a carpenter by trade and loved building things with his hands. He often showed jobs he was working on to friends and family with pride. If you needed something fixed around your house, Gary was always willing to lend a hand. He was a lifelong, devoted Redskins fan. If he wasn’t at the stadium, he was watching it on tv every gameday. He had a great affinity for music, especially Phish and Hank Williams Jr.
Gary had a big heart with lots of love for his mom, siblings and the rest of the family, especially his nieces and nephews. This was evident through the cards he picked out for his mother and the time he took picking out outfits and personal gifts for his nieces and nephews. To say Gary was an amazing uncle isn’t enough to explain the love and devotion he had for Chris, Austin, Matthew, Crystal, Aubrey, Leora (Zach), Marissa, Holly, Mallory, Mikey, Mikayla, Daniel and his bonus niece Claudia Wooten and nephew, Travis Gowing. He so loved his great nieces and nephews Maisie, Nova, Paul and Bowen. Gary was quite often like a second dad to them and never missed an event that they were in from dance recitals, where he always had flowers in hand, to sporting events, where he cheered loudly from the crowd. He took them to movies, museums, Nationals baseball games, Redskins football games and the circus among many other outings. They will truly miss him.
Gary is survived by his wife Heather, Mother Sue Drees, brothers David Drees (Angie), Keith Drees (Mary), sister Daina Brafford (Brent), sister-in-law (and bonus sister) Karen Owens (Mike) and special family friend Denise Deas. He is also survived by sister-in-law Paula Collier (Stephen) and in-laws Paul and Sue Dougherty.
Gary is preceded in death by his brother John Drees, Grandmother Maisie Moore, Uncle James “Jimmy” Moore, aunt Charlotte Moore Grant, and niece Lillian Owens, great nephew Atlas and many other loved ones.
Funeral Servies will be held at Providence United Methodist Church, 113 Old Dare Rd, Yorktown, VA followed by graveside service at the church cemetery. On Monday, December 9, 2024 at 11am. Family will receive friends and loved ones following the services at the church social hall.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Gary’s funeral fund payable to Amory’s Funeral Home.