He was a 1971 graduate of Brownsville High School before earning his BA-T in Journalism and English at Sam Houston State University. In 1975 he began a 39-year teaching career at San Benito and Brownsville Pace High Schools. During this time, he earned his master’s degree in Educational Administration and Mid-Management from University of Texas–Pan Am in Brownsville. For many years, Gary served as a UIL sponsor taking students to the district and state levels. He combined his love of big cats and photography as a volunteer publicity photographer for the Gladys Porter Zoo.
Following retirement, he worked as a tutoring volunteer at First Baptist School and as a volunteer at the Friends of the Library Book Room at the Brownsville Public Library. He was a member of Brownsville Rotary Sunrise and The Gideons International Brownsville camp, wherein he participated in Holy Bible distributions at public schools throughout Brownsville. He was also a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Brownsville.
Gary demonstrated Christlike patience, kindness, and compassion to everyone he met. He was a man of integrity, respected by his teaching colleagues and students alike and will be missed.
Left to cherish his memory are a son, Nathan (wife Nancy) John Withers and a granddaughter, Aria Withers, in Brownsville and brothers Stephen (wife Elizabeth) Dixon Withers of Carrollton, Texas, and Michael (wife Patti) Heard Withers of Louisville, Kentucky, and numerous other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 4th at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Brownsville, Texas. He will be interred at Buena Vista Burial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Gideons, Brownsville Camp, P. O. Box 3369, Brownsville, TX 78523.
