Gary Everette Gammill

He was born January 7, 1944 in Shelbyville, TN to Eva Mae Prosser Gammill and James Mitchell Gammill, Sr.

Gary graduated with a Bachelor’s in education from Florida Atlantic University. He earned a Master’s in curriculum and instruction from Florida Atlantic and a degree in administration from UNC.

He taught social studies and math in middle and alternative schools before becoming the assistant principal at North Ridge Elementary and then the principal at Douglas Elementary. He was the principal at Northwoods Elementary when he retired in 2006.

Gary was active at Apex United Methodist Church, where he served as a Stephen Ministry leader and belonged to the Mayberry Sunday School class. He helped launch Read and Feed, a local literacy program for at-risk children, and he was on the board of Western Wake Crisis Ministry. He enjoyed working with tools, feeding wild birds, watching Carolina basketball, doing crosswords, and telling stories, and he loved being Granddad to his grandchildren. He was a man of tremendous faith, humility, and love, and he’ll always be remembered for his helpfulness to others, his smile, and his sense of humor.

On June 11, 1966 he married his sweetheart, Marsha Derey Gammill, who survives him. They would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in June. He is also survived by daughters and sons-in-law Julie Gammill Gibson and Michael Gibson of Pittsburgh, PA, and Amy and Tony Read of Wilmington, NC; grandchildren Ruby, Everett, and Eva Gibson and Jack, Ava, and Lydia Read; brothers Jim (Marge), Steve (Jeanne), John (Mary), and Rick (Kathi); sisters Judy Julian (David), Patsy Gammill, and Kathy McCann (Mike); dear in-laws Nancy and Jerry Sparrow, Bill Derey, and Wesley Derey; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the 9th floor oncology staff at Duke Hospital and the staff at the Hospice Home who provided such loving and compassionate care.

The family will receive friends on Monday, May 23 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Apex Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 24 at 5:00 PM in the Christian Life Center at Apex United Methodist Church.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.