Gary “Joe” Meloy, 51, a resident of Hambleton passed from this life on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at his residence. He had been in his usual health, and death was attributed to cardiac arrest.
Joe was born Saturday, December 14, 1974, in Akron, OH, a son of Carolyn Christine Vance Meloy and companion, John Nestor who survives and the late Gary Lee Meloy. On July 8, 1995, he married the love of his life, Stormie Dennay Barkley, who survives. They had celebrated thirty years of marriage.
Also left to cherish Joe’s memory are two sons, Joseph Isaiah Meloy of Hambleton and Gary Richard Meloy, fiancé, Natasha Zirkle, and precious granddaughter, Annika Paige Meloy, of Mabie, one sister, Crystal Lee Mouse and husband, Tim, of Beverly, twelve nieces and nephews, Hunter, Lydia, Bowen, Barrett, Matthew, Jayden, Remi, Ryan, Raiden, Raelynn, Ramsey, and Rebel, a brother-in-law, J.R. Barkley and wife, Connie, a sister-in-law, Jessica Abell, his maternal grandparents, Violet and Murl Nestor, his father-in-law, Rusty Barkley, a special aunt and uncle, Dan and Tonya Barkley, and several other nieces and nephews.
Joe was a member of the last graduating class of the old Elkins High School in 1993. He had worked for the Bricklayers Union Local #15 for ten years. He then became a certified EMT having worked for Tucker County EMS on the squad and as a dispatcher. He was a volunteer firefighter with Leading Creek Company 47 and Parsons Volunteer Fire Department Company 10.
Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, motorcycles, and riding his side by side with Isaiah. He enjoyed working with his son, Gary, for the fire department, and he thoroughly enjoyed spending time with and taking his other son, Isaiah, to special Olympic events. He enjoyed time spent with family and playing phase-10. He had a big heart for others and was willing to give his time and resources to help anyone he could. Recently, he gave his life to Christ and enjoyed attending Raise Up Foundation evenings of worship and men’s fellowships. Stormie was his person, the love of his life, and his soul mate. Joe will be missed by his family, his friends, his community, and his first responder family.
Visitation will be held at Hostetler Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 4 until 8pm. A service celebrating his life will take place at 7:30 with Derek Zirk officiating. Joe’s request for cremation will follow. Contributions in Joe’s memory can be made to Special Olympics West Virginia C/O Tucker County, 3055 Mount Vernon Road, Hurricane, WV 25526. The Hostetler Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Gary “Joe” Meloy. Send online condolences to the family at www.hostetlerfuneralhome.com.
