Gary Wade Sadler, 72, of Mathews, Va., departed this life on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Gary was born on April 10, 1953 to the late Vernon Glenn and Charlotte Hudgins Sadler.
Gary was raised in the Onemo, Va., neighborhood, growing up in the big white house across from Bethel Church of Mathews. He spent childhood summers playing in the Plastic Baseball League (PBL) with his best friend, Ronnie Hudgins of Mathews. He enjoyed riding his bicycle to Morris Flippin’s country store, for Coca-Colas, Moon Pies, and other treats, off what is now Morris Flippin Road.
Gary was a devoted member of Bethel, where he served in many capacities throughout his life, including singing in the choir. He was known for his thoughtful handwritten cards he sent throughout the county and beyond on behalf of his church family. He especially enjoyed the Men’s Sunday School Class and taking part in the monthly prayer breakfast.
Gary was a 1971 graduate of Mathews High School. Early in his career, Gary worked on a tugboat for McLean Contracting Company before joining Canon Virginia Inc. in Newport News, Va., where he dedicated 30 years of service before retiring in May 2017. His retirement was celebrated by a surprise party hosted by his family, surrounded by all his friends and colleagues, at the Mathews Yacht Club.
In later years, Gary and Robin took advantage of traveling. Among his favorite destinations were Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which he visited twice, the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. Gary was also a member of the “Breakfast Club” in Mathews.
Gary’s love of sports was evident through his extensive involvement with the Mathews Little League and his enthusiastic support for Mathews High School athletics. He spent years announcing games and was a familiar presence on the sidelines, often serving on the chain crew for Mathews High School home football games. In May 2023, then-assistant Athletic Director Al DeWitt, a longtime friend, announced Gary’s induction into the Mathews High School Hall of Fame Class of 2023 for his contributions to the football, softball, and baseball programs over the years.
He was predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Robin Morgan Sadler, in April 2023 and his brother, Charles Robert Sadler Sr., in March 2012.
Gary is survived by a son, Jason Scott Sadler; a daughter, Ashley Sadler Adams (Taylor); a grandson, James Grayson Adams; one sister, Dinah Kay Ashberry; a sister-in-law, Barbara Sibley Sadler, and a brother-in-law, James Russell Morgan Jr. (Theresa).
The family received friends from 1:30-3 p.m. on Sunday, August 10, at Bethel Church of Mathews. Following the visitation, a funeral service was held at 3 p.m. in the church sanctuary, conducted by the Rev. Charles “Chuck” Winner, former minister of Bethel; entombment was private in Windsor Gardens Cemetery & Mausoleum, Dutton, Va. Following the service, a time of fellowship was held at the Piankatank Ruritan Club, 7138 Buckley Hall Road, Hudgins, Va.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, c/o Nelda Gibbs, Mathews County School System, P.O. Box 369, Mathews, Va. 23109, Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, 94 Cricket Hill Road, Hudgins, Va. 23076, or to the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 1130, Mathews, Va. 23109.
Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, assisted the family.