He lived life large. Four simple words that best describe the life of James Gary Britt and if you were fortunate enough to know or have met him, you would agree. Gary’s earthly life ended Monday, November 17, 2025 in Jackson following complications of his recent cancer diagnosis. He was born in Lexington on Friday, March 27th 1953 the oldest of four children to Ray and Peggy Duck Britt and the big brother to Greg, Carol and Michelle.
Growing up in the Middlefork community of Henderson County then cities like Knoxville, Bowling Green and Birmingham going to schools, making friends and forming who he was going to become. He was especially proud of his years at Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, TN. He excelled at everything he did, a trait that would continue throughout Gary’s life. Upon graduation from South Side High School in Jackson he began work in the family businesses, then as a Marine even being honored with the Leatherneck Award at Parris Island as the top recruit in his boot camp unit. After his stint in the Marines and returning to Jackson Gary pursued life as a nurse. Again, he excelled becoming a beloved nurse to all of his patients. Gary worked for a number of nursing agencies from West Tennessee to Nashville even in Louisiana before returning home as a home health nurse. With Gary’s medical knowledge and his bigger than life personality, he was a favorite to his patients. Gary was honored by his peers as nurse of the year for excellence in patient care, dependability, professionalism, and for always going the extra mile.
When Gary retired from nursing it gave him the chance to move back to Middlefork on the farm he grew up on. A lover of animals he had quite the menagerie that included sheep, goats, chickens, peacocks, geese, a donkey named Sam and his Great Pyrenees and protector of the farm, Boo.
Family meant the world to Gary and he’s survived by his mother, Peggy Britt Bateman; his brother and best friend, Greg (Barbara) Britt; sisters, Carol (Robert) Helms and Michelle Britt; and his beloved constant companion English Bulldog, Sister.
The Britt family will receive friends on Friday from 11:00 AM until 12:30 PM at Pafford Funeral Home and then have graveside services at 1:00 PM at Palestine Cemetery with Thomas and Brandon Britt, Weston Helms and Daniel and David Overman serving as pall bearers.
