Obituary for Gary Mayer
Gary Alan Mayer of LaGrange, Ga peacefully passed away April 29,2023.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio September 7, 1946, the only child to the late John and Ruth(Mintie) Mayer. He graduated from Valley Forge High School where he served on the Student Council and lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from Ohio University with a double BA in both Accounting and Economics. He was awarded a full baseball scholarship and was a member of Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity. He received his MBA in Finance magna cum laude from Cleveland State University. While in grad school he also played in a semi pro weekend baseball league.
Gary dedicated his life to service and giving. He proudly served in the US Army during the VietNam War. After the army he started his career with Ohio Bell where he quickly progressed in the system. His final position was as a Top Manager for ATT Lucent Technologies. He was very active with the telephone Pioneers volunteer group.
He was very involved with the Solon, Oh Jaycees where he served as President and Chairman of the city July 4th Fireworks. He also initiated the Santa’s Workshop for families where he began his love of being Santa Claus. He did this every year for anyone or group who asked, through this past Christmas. He was honored to be chosen as An Outstanding Young Man of America. Gary was extremely devoted to working with the American Cancer Society his entire adult life. He was President of the North Metro Atlanta chapter and was on the National ACS board of directors. He and his family sponsored the North Fulton Tennis Classic Tournament for many years, which a large fundraiser to support cancer research.
He was a strong Christian, serving as an Elder in his every adult city for 4 Presbyterian Churches: Pioneer Memorial in Solon, Oh, Barrington Hills in Chicago, Ill, St Luke’s in Dunwoody, Ga and First Pres in LaGrange, Ga. He was also very active with church youth groups, Sunday School, New Members, Soup Kitchen and more.
Gary loved music. He was a proud board member of the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra for over 2 decades where he was also President and Treasurer. He was dedicated to growing both the Orchestra and the youth music program. He will be well remembered for his big smile, always friendly and eager to help others. He also loved to travel, treating his family to many great trips all over the world.
He is survived by his college sweetheart wife of 54 years Marilyn Laverne (Phillian) Mayer. They have 2 beautiful daughters that he cherished and their husbands that he loved like his sons Meredith Leigh and JC Lehnen and Melanie Laverne and Michael Parrott. They also have 4 incredible grandchildren that he adored: Logan and Mackinley Parrott and Anneliese and Emmeline Lehnen. His whole family was very athletic, he loved playing tennis and golf and swimming with his family members and especially loved watching his young grandkids play volleyball and basketball.
Sadly, Gary lost his hard fought battle with bile duct cancer. A cheerful Celebration of Life service will be held June 10 at 11:30am at First Presbyterian Church, LaGrange Ga where Gary will also receive full military honors. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
Rest in peace dearest Gary, your life was a true blessing to all who knew you.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio September 7, 1946, the only child to the late John and Ruth(Mintie) Mayer. He graduated from Valley Forge High School where he served on the Student Council and lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from Ohio University with a double BA in both Accounting and Economics. He was awarded a full baseball scholarship and was a member of Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity. He received his MBA in Finance magna cum laude from Cleveland State University. While in grad school he also played in a semi pro weekend baseball league.
Gary dedicated his life to service and giving. He proudly served in the US Army during the VietNam War. After the army he started his career with Ohio Bell where he quickly progressed in the system. His final position was as a Top Manager for ATT Lucent Technologies. He was very active with the telephone Pioneers volunteer group.
He was very involved with the Solon, Oh Jaycees where he served as President and Chairman of the city July 4th Fireworks. He also initiated the Santa’s Workshop for families where he began his love of being Santa Claus. He did this every year for anyone or group who asked, through this past Christmas. He was honored to be chosen as An Outstanding Young Man of America. Gary was extremely devoted to working with the American Cancer Society his entire adult life. He was President of the North Metro Atlanta chapter and was on the National ACS board of directors. He and his family sponsored the North Fulton Tennis Classic Tournament for many years, which a large fundraiser to support cancer research.
He was a strong Christian, serving as an Elder in his every adult city for 4 Presbyterian Churches: Pioneer Memorial in Solon, Oh, Barrington Hills in Chicago, Ill, St Luke’s in Dunwoody, Ga and First Pres in LaGrange, Ga. He was also very active with church youth groups, Sunday School, New Members, Soup Kitchen and more.
Gary loved music. He was a proud board member of the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra for over 2 decades where he was also President and Treasurer. He was dedicated to growing both the Orchestra and the youth music program. He will be well remembered for his big smile, always friendly and eager to help others. He also loved to travel, treating his family to many great trips all over the world.
He is survived by his college sweetheart wife of 54 years Marilyn Laverne (Phillian) Mayer. They have 2 beautiful daughters that he cherished and their husbands that he loved like his sons Meredith Leigh and JC Lehnen and Melanie Laverne and Michael Parrott. They also have 4 incredible grandchildren that he adored: Logan and Mackinley Parrott and Anneliese and Emmeline Lehnen. His whole family was very athletic, he loved playing tennis and golf and swimming with his family members and especially loved watching his young grandkids play volleyball and basketball.
Sadly, Gary lost his hard fought battle with bile duct cancer. A cheerful Celebration of Life service will be held June 10 at 11:30am at First Presbyterian Church, LaGrange Ga where Gary will also receive full military honors. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
Rest in peace dearest Gary, your life was a true blessing to all who knew you.