Gary King Christopher

Gary King Christopher, 72 of Carmichaels, died Friday, May 22, 2015 in his home surrounded by his family. Since age 60, he suffered from a rare degenerative neurological disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, or PSP, for which there are no treatments.

He was born October 13, 1942 in Carmichaels (Khedive), son of the late Kermit Ray and Mary O’Neal Christopher.

Gary lived his entire life in Greene County, attending Craynes one-room school in Homeville, Mather Grade School, and he was in the first class that attended the new Jefferson-Morgan High School, the class of 1960. He attended Missouri Auction School in Kansas City, MO in 1963.

He was indispensable to his father raising cattle and grains on the family farm on Route 21 during the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Gary worked with Gateway Mines, Waynesburg University, and retired from the staff at Moose Lodge # 461 in Waynesburg in 2010. He also co-managed his father’s grocery store in Dilliner for 9 years when his father spent winters in Texas.

He was a member of American Legion Post #400 and V.F.W. Post #3491 in Carmichaels.

Gary was happiest with his family and on a farm tractor.

He served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard in the 724th M.P. Co., Waynesburg, PA Post for 8 years. Basic training was in Ft. Ord, CA.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Helen Bennington Cole Christopher. She and her daughters were the greatest nurses throughout his illness.

Other survivors are four stepchildren, James Cole (Harriett) of Florida, Barbara Teagarden (Carl Orndoff) of Carmichaels, Jeffrey Cole of Waynesburg, and Dana Stewart (Tim Cottle) of Jefferson.

Gary was the beloved “Pappy” of nine step-grandchildren, twelve step-great grandchildren, and one step-great-great grandchild. Also surviving are two sisters, Marie Simmons and Shirley Romine of Waynesburg; four brothers, John Christopher of Carmichaels, Sheldon and Eldon Christopher of Waynesburg, and Larry Christopher of Casa Grande, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased are one brother, Kermit Christopher; and five sisters, Eugenia Kuran, Doreen Dew-Kauffman, Kathleen Christopher, Lois Wogksch-Kimpel, and Dixie McNeely-Robinson.

The wonderful staff at Amedisys Hospice: Amanda, Tonya, Beth, Joe, and Morgan cared for him.

Friends will be welcomed from 2pm to 8 p.m., Tuesday, in Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 182 West High St., Waynesburg, where services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2015 with Rev. Donald Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Bruceton Mills, WV, with military rites by American Legion Post 400 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Amedisys Hospice. Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 461 will hold services at 7:00 pm. Tuesday in the funeral home. Condolences may be offered at www.behmfh.com .