He was born in Baltimore, MD on April 5, 1952 to George and Frances Thompson. Gary graduated from Westminster High and received an Associate of Arts degree from Anne Arundel Community College.
He was married to Deborah Thompson on August 1, 1980.
Gary had a career in IT for the state of MD Department of Natural Resources. He was a volunteer of Rainbow Springs State Park, COPS, CERT and Rainbow Springs Community, and had a passion for motorcycles, photography, videos, bird watching, and computers.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Deborah Thompson, daughter Heather Thompson Andrews, granddaughter Justice A. Andrews, his brothers and sisters Skipper Thompson, Barbara Mitchell, Lee Poling and Shirley Poling, and several nieces and nephews.