06/18/2026
Mr. Harvey Gerald Wainwright
Mr. Harvey Gerald Wainwright, known affectionately to many simply as “Gerald,” passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at his home in Barnesville, Georgia, surrounded by family. He was 87.
Born on May 2, 1939, in Taylor County, Georgia, Gerald lived a life that could best be described as “larger than life,” not least because of his knack for laughter and his unrelenting mission to sprinkle humor wherever he roamed. Gerald was no ordinary man. If there was a task that needed tackling, chances were he’d mastered it already. Raised by his parents, Homer Jackson Wainwright and Mattie Lee Crane Wainwright, Gerald grew up alongside siblings: James, Shelton, Hiram, Murrah, and his sisters, Anna Jewel Wainwright and Annie Ruth Darsey. A lively bunch, no doubt, but God broke the mold when he made Gerald.
Gerald was proud of his in service in the U.S. Army Reserves. His career journey began at Martha Mills and blossomed into a 35-plus-year reign as owner and operator of Gerald's Paint and Body Shop, where his love and uncanny talent for body work shone brighter than freshly polished chrome. “There was nothing he couldn’t do” is not just a phrase but a well-earned tribute to his craftsmanship and ingenuity. Need a barn built? Gerald was your guy. A gyrocopter built and flown? Yup, he did that too, probably with a few barnyard animals cheering him on.
Aside from his mechanical and construction wizardry, Gerald had a soft spot for all things rural: horses, cows, hay farming (which he treated with the seriousness of a mad scientist), and driving his tractor around the farm like a king surveying his kingdom. He was also famous for those weekends at the lake b0ating and fishing, where he enjoyed spending time with family. One of the most meaningful chapters of Gerald’s life came in his later years when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and publicly declared his faith through baptism.
His personal life was as full as his list of talents. He is survived by his wife, Leamon Burnette Wainwright; his daughter, Elizabeth (Lee) Horton; honorary daughter and caregiver, April (Justin) Savage; sister-in-law, Sandra Wainwright; and an army of nieces and nephews who surely will remember him as the man who could fix anything, ride anything, and crack a joke while doing it.
A celebration of Gerald's remarkable life will be held, Monday, June 22, at 4:00 PM, at Fletcher-Day Funeral Home. Rev. Chet Yates will officiate. Gerald will take his last ride on his tractor to his final resting place. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Fletcher-Day Funeral Home on Monday.
In lieu of flowers, the family would request memorial contributions be made to the Lamar County Senior Center, 106 Veterans Drive, Barnesville, GA 30204.
Mr. Wainwright’s passing leaves a joyful echo in the halls he built and the hearts he touched. He is now reunited with his parents and siblings, whose memories no doubt greet him like an old friend at the pearly gates. And those of us still around can take solace in the fact that when it comes to leaving a legacy, Gerald did it with a wrench in one hand and a joke in the other.
It's not goodbye, it's see you later, Gerald. Thanks for the laughs, the lessons, and for proving that there truly is nothing you can’t do.
Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.
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