Steve Gary Dies After Decades of Community Service
Article Presented By Homtown-Motors, Inc.
(Chillicothe) – A decades long community leader known to many in Ross and Pickaway counties passed away May 16th, 2024. Stephen A. Gary died unexpectedly at his Clarksburg area home at the age of 73. He was born October 10, 1950 to Stephen A. and Donna Anderson Gary in Richmond Dale, Ohio.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his loving wife, Judith A. Gary; a son, Christopher G.R. Gary; a brother, Gregory K. Gary; and a sister-in-law, Lisa Gary. Surviving are his wonderful son, Charles “CJ” Gary; a sister, Rebecca (Don) Dixon; a niece, Jessica (Matt) Biggers; great nieces, Eleanor, Abigail, Margaret; as well as many friends, former employees and business associates.
Stephen graduated in 1973 from Ohio University with a Bachelor’s in Business. He was immediately employed by Public Finance in Chillicothe, Ohio. In March of 1979, he joined The Savings Bank of Circleville as a loan officer and rose through the ranks having retired in October of 2014 as the President and CEO. He continued as the President of the Savings Bancorp and served for many years thereafter as a member of the banks’ Board of Directors. He helped many people, not only financially, but through his service to so many organizations in both Pickaway and Ross Counties. Some of his proud accomplishments include serving for 6 years on the Ohio Department of Commerce’s State Banking Commission, under both Democrat and Republican Governors, 9 years as a member of the Community Bankers Associations of Ohio, was Past President of the Circleville Sunrise Rotary Club through which he was a 5 time Paul Harris Fellow, was Past Chairman of the Pickaway Circleville Chamber of Commerce, was the Recipient of the Ned Harden Visitor Award for Pickaway County Visitors Bureau, was Past President of the (P3) Pickaway Progress Partnership and was a recipient of the John Stevenson Economic Development Award, was a former Board Member of Pickaway County Community Action, served as Past Director and two years as Chairman of the Pickaway County Community Foundation, was a former Board Member of the Circleville Pickaway Corporation, was a 46 year 4-H Advisor, was a past member of the Ohio 4-H Foundation, was past Master of the Clarksburg Grange, was a founding member of the Deerfield Township Zoning Board, was a member of the Brown Chapel UMC where he held numerous leadership roles. Stephen and his late wife, Judith, were truly community activist. For 37 years, Stephen portrayed Santa Claus along side his wife, Judy, who portrayed Mrs. Claus. Each year since their marriage, they adopted a needy family at Christmas, bringing Joy to thousands of children over a 50 year period. So many lived were affected by the love they shared together. He was proud of the fact that he grew up in Richmond Dale, graduated 2nd in his graduating class and that he was mentored by the whole town. He carried the nickname, “The RD KID” which he proudly displayed on his vehicle tags and email. He not only touched so many lives, he was touched by so many for which he was eternally grateful.
Funeral services will be held 11:30am Wednesday, May 22, 2024 in Brown’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Clarksburg, OH with Pastor Vera Welker officiating. Burial will follow in Brown’s Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be held in the WARE FUNERAL HOME, Chillicothe, OH from 2pm to 8pm Tuesday, May 21st.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Chris Gary Memorial Fund c/o Pickaway County Community Foundation 770 N. Court St., Circleville, OH 43113 or by calling (740) 477-6207.
