Gordon Grayson (Jr.) Atchley

Gordon Grayson “Pete” Atchley, Jr., 65, of Huntsville, AL passed away Saturday evening, June 14, 2025 at Huntsville Hospital after a long battle with kidney disease. Pete was born on Oct. 8, 1957 to Gordon “Pete” Sr. and Hellen Ruth Atchley. He was a long time member at Meridianville Church of Christ.

Pete graduated from Buckhorn High School in 1978. His first job was at his daddy’s gas station, Pete’s Gulf and Grocery, on Hwy. 72 pumping gas when he was 15 years old. Over the years he worked at National Copper; owned his own paint and body workshop; drove a school bus for Central School in the Madison County School System and worked at a convenience store between morning and afternoon routes; worked at Rock-Tenn Recycling as a truck driver, and at Ready Ice as a delivery driver.

Everywhere Pete worked, he made friends quickly and was always willing to help people in any way he could. During the tornado outbreak of 2011, when people were without power, he delivered ice to his friends and neighbors to help them. During the years he drove a school bus, he always brought treats for the kids on Fridays. He would literally give the shirt off his back if someone needed it. 

Pete loved music, especially 70’s rock and country. Some of his favorite bands and artists included Kansas, Lynard Skynard, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Jr., Meatloaf, and Alabama. He loved reading westerns and suspense thrillers. His favorite authors were Louis L’amour, James Patterson, and Dean Koontz. He loved watching old westerns and reality shows, especially Big Brother and Survivor. He loved yard sales and fishing. He was an avid Auburn football and Atlanta Braves fan. He collected Hot Wheels and baseball cards. He loved driving around looking at Christmas lights before that was even a “thing”. He loved racing and going to race tracks when he was young. His favorite types of racing were stock cars, drag racing – funny cars. Pete loved cooking and grilling and his family enjoyed eating his creations – he was a REALLY good cook. One of his favorite local foods was a pepperoni special from Stanlieo’s. But above all, Pete loved his fur babies and could never turn away a stray. His current fur babies were Chloe, a beagle; Sammy, a jack russell; Luna, a Staffordshire pitbull; Addie, a jack russell mix; and his cat, Loki.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Ruth Atchley; his sisters, Martha Atchley and Karon Pyle; brother-in-law, Jeff Patterson; and his three babies, Little Pete, Holly Catherine, and Andrew.

He was survived by his wife of 22 years, Rebecca; sister, Sandy Atchley Patterson; brother-in-law, Randy Pyle (Glenda); niece Christie Franklin (Kyle); niece Robin Shelton (John); great-nieces Allie Bobo (Matthew) and Alex Shelton; great-nephews Aubrey and Taylor Franklin; great-great nephew Harrison Bobo; a special family friend, Jamie Duncan, and a host of cousins and friends. He has another great-great nephew due in September, Nathaniel Bobo.

Pete will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Services will be held, Friday, June 20, 2025, at Meridianville Church of Christ. A Memorial Gathering will be from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM with the Memorial Service following at 3:00 PM.

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