Gary lost his multi-year battle with Leukemia and died February 22, 2009. He graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in accounting and was a four-year letterman on the swimming team and a member of ROTC.

After graduation Gary was assigned to the Second Armored Division at Fort Hood where he won the 4th Army Championships in swimming and triathlon.

After leaving the Army, he started his career in banking that lasted until 1999. He was bank examiner for the Treasury Dept. 1965-69, and President of several banks in Texas until his retirement.

A lifetime rancher, "Tex" owned ranches in Garza, Sterling, McLennan, and Falls counties, and enjoyed working to improve the ranches during his ownership. He was a Life Member of the NSA and jumped at Cave Junction 1960-62.