Born in Reading on Feb. 26, 1944, he was a son of Ruth (Shade) Karch and the late Rodney Gearhart.
He was employed with Tyco Industries until retirement.
Gary was life member of the Lower Alsace Volunteer Fire Co. where he was a past fire policeman, and was also a life member of the Stony Creek Athletic Association. He loved animals and his Corvette and he enjoyed drag racing at Maple Grove.
Surviving are a son, Gary D. Gearhart Jr., and his wife, Lorrie, of Reading; two grandchildren, Chad Schweitzer and Derek Gearhart; three brothers, Robert, John, and Allen Karch; two sisters, Barbara Bartholomew and her husband, Robert, and Deborah Pagliante and her husband, Frank; his caregiver, Abbie Stamm; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at Auman's Inc. Funeral Home, 390 W. Neversink Rd., Reading. Family and friends will be received at the funeral home on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Online condolences may be made at www.aumansinc.com