Born and raised in Central Virginia, graduated from Brookville High School, and
joined the United States Marine Corps in April, 1968. During his enlistment Gary experienced “Boot Camp” at Paris Island, SC, where he was honored to become a member of the Marine Corps Rifle Team. Gary also attained Special Missions Training at Camp Lejeune, NC where he volunteered to train in Recon. Because of
his training he was assigned to Golf 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines in Vietnam where he was awarded two Purple Hearts for multiple wounds received in combat. During his tenure in Vietnam, Gary attained rank of Corporal and held various job titles;
Platoon Point Man, Fire Team Leader, Recon Team member, Supply Sargent, Non
Commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC) of Troops in the rear, and even acted as
Barber for the Troops going on R&R. His final duty was in Okinawa, with Lima
3/9, where he served as Rifle& Range Instructor for the M16 Rifle and
qualified Troops headed for Vietnam.
After his military experience, Gary
returned home to get married to his wife of 47 years, Linda. They have two sons
and four granddaughters in Lynchburg & Washington DC. He
went on to complete his Bachelor Degree in Business at Averett University and
worked a long-term career in the Printing Industry with Meredith/Burda and later
became Manager of Materials Technology with RR Donnelley in Chicago. He has since retired after 37
years.
Gary took piano lessons and learned to read
music at an early age but was not interested in music until he began playing
guitar at the age of 13 and has been involved in music ever since. Gary
writes many of his own songs and has played and recorded with various musical
groups over the years. He can
provide music for parties, weddings, and special events. His visits to several
Nursing & Retirement homes each month with a music program of Classic,
Country, & Gospel songs helped him realize the need for music to be a part
of people’s lives. Gary always
selects music that the residents can relate to and works hand in hand with
different Health Care providers to provide music for home bound or Memory Care
patients. Gary always shares his Christian faith and really enjoys making people
smile with his music.