Gary Wesley Orvis, 85, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026, after a long illness with his family by his side. A resident of Oakland County for more than 50 years, he embodied science, the arts, traveling and family.
Gary was born in Flint, Michigan in 1940. He graduated from Flint Central High School and The University of Michigan with a BA in Chemistry. He took post graduate classes at GM Institute and interned for 3 years in the pulp & paper division – USDA Forest Products Laboratory at Madison, WI. Gary retired as a DuPont R&D chemist where he worked for thirty-four years.
Gary had many hobbies including singing, playing the flute & ukulele, writing poetry, painting landscapes, traveling world-wide on business as well as with family. He considered himself “a student of life” and thoroughly enjoyed the sciences and reading.
Gary met Gertrude in Flint, Michigan and they were married in 1962 and had 4 children. He attended the Auburn Hills and Northminster Presbyterian Churches. He was a church choir member as well as board member of the Presbyterian Village North and longtime member of the Federated Paint Society.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents John and Evelyn, his brother Doug and is survived by his wife Gertrude; children Tom, John, Eric & Deanne; grandsons Anthony, Marco, Tanner and Wesley; niece Megan; and nephew Doug II.
Visitation will be from 3-8pm on Friday, February 20th, 2026, at Pixley Funeral Home, located at 3530 Auburn Rd, Auburn Hills, Michigan. The funeral service will be on Saturday February 21st, 2026, at 11am (10am instate) at Auburn Hills Presbyterian Church, located at 3456 Primary St in Auburn Hills. A luncheon will follow immediately after the service at the Pixley Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made in Gary’s honor to Northminster Church in Troy, Michigan. Envelopes will be available at visitation and funeral.
