01/13/2026
Gary Lou Ludwigson
Gary Lou Ludwigson, 84, passed away on January 13, 2026. He was born on April 24, 1941, in Wisconsin, the son of the late Norma Ludwigson and Albert Bleskacek.
Gary graduated from Bloomer High School in 1959 and proudly joined the United States Air Force, where he served for over 20 years before retiring in 1980. During his military career, he taught aircrew members the use of survival equipment, attended Jungle Survival School, and served in Vietnam. He also served with the Air Force Honor Guard, ensuring veterans received honorable burials. Gary earned an associate degree through the Air Force, later obtained a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University, and continued working toward a master’s degree.
Following his military retirement, Gary began a second career in public service. He retired in 2000 from The Citadel, where he served as Deputy Director of Public Safety. He also worked as the Coordinator of Admissions for a psychiatric hospital and volunteered as a crisis intervention counselor. In addition, he served as a crew leader for the Berkeley County 1980 Census and participated in the SASE Foreign Exchange Program, hosting international students.
Gary was deeply committed to community service. He coached and refereed Little League sports, volunteered as a coach for the Holly Hill High School golf team, and donated his boat for fishing outings for the blind. He served on the Property Owners Association at Santee Cooper Resort and on the Santee Literacy Council. For more than nine years, he hosted an annual bocce ball tournament at his home, an event cherished by friends and family.
A lifelong athlete, Gary excelled in basketball and football, averaging 22 points per game in basketball and serving as quarterback of his high school football team. He continued playing sports in the Air Force, competing in basketball tournaments while traveling to Mexico and Japan. He also played against teams such as the Philippine Olympic Team, the Washington Huskies during their tour, and the Harlem Globetrotters. An avid golfer, Gary achieved his most treasured accomplishment—a hole-in-one—and placed second out of 184 golfers in the Retired Military Golf Classic.
Earlier in life, Gary hitchhiked across the United States, meeting many interesting people along the way. He was the owner of Ruth’s Hallmark in Summerville and remained active in veterans’ organizations throughout his life. He was a lifetime member of the Ladson VFW, a charter member and first Tiler of Elks Lodge #2719, and a member of the American Legion in Manning.
Gary loved the outdoors. He hunted in Wisconsin, fished wherever he could, and was an avid gardener with more than 40 species of flowers and bushes. An amateur ornithologist, his yard was designated an established bird sanctuary by the Audubon Society. He fed and housed more than 30 species of birds, and a corner of the Santee Golf Resort is dedicated to bluebirds.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Mary Frances Ludwigson.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie Myers Ludwigson; his brother, Larry Haigh (Deb) of Washington State; stepdaughters, Carmon Goudy and Brittany Steele of St. George; grandchildren, Joseph Burgess and Lillie Goudy, and Dale Fessler, who was like a son to him; brother-in-law, Kenny Myers (Lori); and sister-in-law, Melissa Behie (Jimmy).
The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM at Avinger Funeral Home. A service with full Military Honors will follow at 3:00 PM. The family will also receive friends at the home.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at avingerfh.com.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Avinger Funeral Home,
2274 Eutaw Road, Holly Hill, SC 29059,
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