Gary was the son of Howard and Irene Miesse of Gahanna, OH. He was happily married to Ellen Miesse for 54 years. They lived in Tallmadge, OH, for 28 years before moving to Simpsonville, SC, in 1993. Gary graduated from Capital University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He worked for BFGoodrich, Uniroyal Goodrich, and Michelin as an IT systems analyst.
Gary lived life as a devoted husband, dad, grandpa, and church member. Passionate about baseball and softball, he played and coached for many years. Until knee-replacement surgery at age 75, he also took pleasure in running and entering 5k races. Gary had a mind for numbers and a knack for remembering important statistics and minute details about sports and finances, history and family history. Gary and Ellen enjoyed working in their yard, traveling, attending sporting events, and listening to live bluegrass and philharmonic music. Gary spent the majority of his later years faithfully caring for Ellen before she passed from early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2020.
Gary is survived by his daughter Beth (Komron) Saadati of Mauldin, SC; son Thomas (Forrest) Miesse of St. Joseph, MI; and brother Byron (Nancy) Miesse of Lake Placid, FL. He also leaves 5 grandchildren: Jonathan, Christa, Anna, Josh, and Braden. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Jenna.
A celebration of life will be held at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Dr., Greenville, SC 29609 on Friday, October 11, with a visitation at 3:00 followed by a 4:00 service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra, PO Box 3001, Greenville, SC 29602.
