Larry Peek Gable

Larry Peek Gable, 84, of Dalton, Georgia, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. He was born on Sept. 19, 1936, to Ned and Reba Gable in Carrollton, Georgia, where he was raised.

He is survived by his wife, Leigh Gable, children Elizabeth Kathryn “Kathy” Gable (Craig) Harper, of Dalton, son Ned Thomas “Tom” (Stephanie) Gable, of Cypress, Texas, grandchildren Taylor Harper of Atlanta, Ryan Harper of Troy, Michigan, and Emily Harper of Dalton, and Zachary (Haley) Gable of Cypress, Texas, and Josh Gable of Cypress, Texas. Also, surviving are his brothers and sister, Carol (Tom) Harper, of Holly Lake Ranch, Texas, Garry (Meribeth) Gable, of Jenkinsburg, Georgia, and Tommy (Pam) Gable, of Carrollton, Georgia. In addition are many cherished nephews and nieces. Larry was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children Denise Lackey Gable and his parents Ned and Reba Gable.

Larry was a native of Carrollton, Georgia. He grew up riding horses on his family’s farm and worked at his father’s service station. After graduating as a mechanical engineer from Southern Technical Institute in Chamblee, Georgia, Larry enlisted in the US Army and later the US Army Reserves. He served from 1959 to 1965 and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.

During his time in the Army Reserves, he moved to his wife’s hometown of Dalton, Georgia. He arrived just as the fledgling carpet industry began to industrialize and he spent his early career pioneering engineering breakthroughs for tufted carpet machinery at Card and Company and Tuftco. Larry had an entrepreneurial spirit and in 1979, he and a partner founded Metal Crafters in Chatsworth, Georgia, a machine shop providing loopers and knives to the textile industry. Among other patents, he also designed a pneumatic carpet mending gun used to repair carpet after production errors. He sold Metal Crafters and retired in 2017 at the age of 80.

Above all else, Larry was a faithful servant and follower of Jesus Christ. His faith was the foundation of who he was and how he cared for others and how he sought to support the work of the church. Larry modeled much of his life’s work on behalf of the church after his own father’s faithful example.

Several years after moving to Dalton, Larry sought to establish a non-denominational Christian church in the community and in 1969 he helped build First Christian Church on Dug Gap Road which is still active today. Larry was a long-time church leader and elder. He was a Sunday School teacher and served as the song leader for many years. Larry loved God and serving him through the church, through missions giving, and individual support for those doing God’s work near home and abroad.

Larry also was involved in Boy Scouts as a youth, an adult leader, and sponsor through First Christian Church. He visited Philmont Scout Ranch as a high schooler. Because of his experiences, he opened his shop for countless Eagle projects, including his grandson’s, and made it possible for many scouts to attend summer camp, jamborees, and Philmont.

Larry loved his family and especially his grandchildren. He always stayed up-to-date with their lives, activities and accomplishments. He was proud of them as they completed college and began careers. He delighted in any conversation that started “Hey, Granddaddy!” or “Hey, Poppi!”

Larry was an excellent craftsman. He enjoyed working with wood and building fun and practical objects, especially toys, games, furniture and household items. Larry often crafted solutions to order when presented the opportunity by family and friends. As always, the finished product was well-made with precision to accomplish its purpose – whether for fun or function. He maintained a full catalog of all his designs, which included his first house in Dalton, drawn with the skill and care of a draftsman.

Family members will gather for a graveside service with military honors on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at Whitfield Memorial Gardens. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Pallbearers are his grandsons and military honor guard with his granddaughter as an honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Woodland Christian Camp, 90 Woodland Camp Road, Temple, Georgia 30179, or South India Christian Mission, PO Box 224, Carrollton, Georgia 30112.