Gary Earl Wilson

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, physician, and friend, Gary Wilson will be missed for his ability to fill a room with laughter, his prowess playing the piano and organ by ear, and his lifelong care for many family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Merton; mother, Geneva; sister, Janice; brother, Dan; and an infant son, Merton. He is survived by Marilyn Wilson, his wife of nearly 65 years; daughter, Melinda Frederick (Jeff); and sons, Chris Wilson (Cyndi) and Ben Wilson (Lisa); his seven grandchildren include, Coral Wilson (Nick), Logan Frederick (Grace), Jack Frederick (Brittany), Dylan Wilson (Chelsea), Quinton Frederick, Hunter Wilson, and Caelan Wilson; and his three great-grandchildren, Koda Wilson, Noah Wilson, and Carter Frederick.

Born February 16, 1940, in Saginaw, Michigan, Gary considered himself a dreamer, noting in the forward to his memoir, “what has propelled me into the future are my dreams—little dreams, big dreams, sometimes extremely huge, incredibly detailed dreams.” From early in life, he dreamed of medical mission work, a product of his parents’ devout faith that became part of his own identity.

In 1958, he graduated from Ferndale High in suburban Detroit, Michigan.

Soon after, he relocated to Clearwater, Florida, where his parents had moved to pastor a church. He attended St. Petersburg Junior College, where he took pre-med courses and worked various jobs to fuel his emerging interests in cars and boats. He later transferred to Olivet Nazarene College, studying chemistry, biology, and religion, traveling with the school’s choirs, and later serving as a minister of music at a church of his own.

In 1960, Gary met his soulmate, Marilyn Hawk, a fellow child of ministers who was then a nursing student in Chicago. After two near misses at connecting, he asked her on a first date by letter. They fell in love over deep dish pizza and were married nine months later on June 10, 1961.

Gary attended medical school at the University of Illinois. After completing his degree, the couple moved to Royal Oak, Michigan, for his medical internship. There, he began to characterize his calling as not just a family doctor, but a “family’s doctor” who could provide care to young, old, and all in between.

In 1970, he and his family moved to Brooksville, Florida. Over the years, Gary assisted countless patients in his growing practice and helped expand the Hernando County medical infrastructure, including new hospitals (Oak Hill where he was later Chief of Medicine) and clinics (Pinebrook). At heart, he was an old-fashioned physician who provided decades of holistic care for his patients—through listening and compassionate care—before retirement in 2007.

Outside of his practice, Gary served his family and community with kindness and financial support. He was a dedicated member of Brooksville Methodist Church. Through trips to Utila, he achieved his dream of serving as a medical missionary on the small Honduran island and founded the Utila Community Clinic.

He was also the visionary behind The Brooksville Common—a downtown gathering space that was dedicated to the glory of God in 2014.

Gary’s love of cars and boats never waned, nor did his passion to travel the world on many adventures with Marilyn, sometimes on his sailboat. He found solace and joy in music, often playing hymns on the piano and organ. He loved being near the water, and later in life, found plenty of inspiration for writing books about, and inspired by, his life and career.

A natural storyteller, Gary often brandished a mischievous smile, especially while spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Per Gary’s wishes, on May 30, 2026, a private graveside service for family only will be held at the Brooksville Cemetery. That same day, May 30, 2026, a celebration of life for friends and family will be held in the Fellowship Hall of Brooksville Methodist Church ( 109 South Broad Street, Brooksville, Florida), beginning at 11 am. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brooksville Methodist Church for Utila, Honduras missions.