Funeral services for William Harley Gandy, age 84, of Conroe will be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in Cashner Colonial Chapel with Dr. Cliff Herrington officiating. Interment will follow in Garden Park Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, January 24, 2011 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cashner Funeral Home.
Mr. Gandy was born September 2, 1926 in Cut and Shoot, Texas to parents George A. Gandy and Bessie Anderson Gandy. He passed away on January 22, 2011 in Conroe, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, George A. Gandy Jr. and his younger brother, Edward E. Gandy. He leaves his wife of 57 years, Martha Adams Gandy; his daughter Susan Gandy Davis and husband Jim of Paris, Texas; his son William (Bill) Gandy and wife Lisa of Paris, Texas. Three grandchildren Laura Davis Barbier and husband Michael of Plano, Texas; Bryan Davis and wife Kelsey of Pasadena, Texas; and Sarah Gandy of Paris, Texas.
Harley was raised in Cut and Shoot on the family dairy and attended Conroe public schools, graduating from Conroe High School in 1944. Following his high school graduation he entered the Navy in October of 1944. He served on the U.S.S. Arkansas and the U.S.S. Blue as Navy Yeoman 3c from 1944 through 1946. His theatre of service was the Asiatic Pacific, specifically Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Following his honorable discharge from the Navy in June of 1946, Harley began his college career attending the University of Houston. He graduated from U of H in 1951 with a bachelor of science and then continued his education, graduating in 1952 with a Masters degree in History. For his Master's thesis he wrote A History of Montgomery County, Texas, a document that is often quoted as authority on Montgomery County today.
Mr. Gandy began his professional career as an educator in 1951 as a history teacher at Conroe High School. In 1952 he moved to Travis Junior High where he met his future wife, Martha Adams, who was also a teacher. They married on June 6, 1953 in Conroe and together taught the children of Conroe and Montgomery for 37 years. Mr. Gandy taught 16 years in the Conroe ISD; 6 year as a professor of History at Sam Houston State University; and ended his career as an elementary principal in Montgomery ISD for 13 years.
Mr. Gandy worked throughout his life to expand his students' and other's knowledge and love for history. He helped develop several museums in Conroe and Montgomery. He served on several Historical Societies and State Historical Associations to promote the furthering of citizens and student's interest in history. He assisted in the development of Texas State Historical markers located on the highways and byways of Texas. His last effort was spent on the historical marker at New Bethlehem Cemetery in Cut and Shoot, Texas.
Pallbearers for the service will be Bryan Davis, grandson; Michael Barbier, grandson-in-law; Jimmy Gandy, nephew; Todd Shaw; Rudy Grisham; Ed Monroe; and Spencer Monroe. Honorary pallbearers will be Herman Monroe, James Green, Charlie Green and Duke Proctor.
Memorial donations may be made to New Bethlehem Cemetery Association P.O. Box 7232 , Cut and Shoot, Texas 77306, Montgomery Historical Society, P.O. Box 513, Montgomery, Texas 77356 and the Montgomery County Library Genealogy Department, Conroe, Texas. Please visit our website at www.cashnerconroe.com
