Gary graduated for McAdory High School as the class Valedictorian and went on to graduate from the University of Alabama. For 23 years he worked for the University of Alabama at the Paul W. Bryant Museum and then began teaching at the College of Education for Special Needs.
While working with several coaches from the University of Alabama he was also a football announcer for ESPN and CBS.
Gary was a motivational speaker and made several “Leadership” videos with various coaches. Recently Gary and his wife Mary bought a farm and would often be referred to as “Farmer Gary”. On the farm he opened a state of the art music studio and would allow local artists to record at no charge. Gary and his friend, David had a radio show called The DC Capstone Report, they did weekly recaps of football games.
Gary had the biggest, most generous heart and was always willing to help anyone in need. He would frequently see children at Walmart wanting a certain toy so he would give the parents the money to purchase that toy. He was also known for paying for meals for anyone he saw in a restaurant eating alone. Gary would go out of his way to speak words of encouragement to anyone he thought was going through a difficult time. He enjoyed Tuesdays because he would have lunch with his brother-in-law, Ralph.
This is a tribute recently posted regarding Gary; “I only met Gary a couple of times but the impact he had on me and my family is almost impossible to believe. He was one of the most compassionate and spiritual people I have ever met. His picture should be beside the word uplifting in the dictionary because when the chips are down he knows how to lift people up. God Bless you Gary Shores. The Cunningham family will always love you and never never forget you.”
Gary is preceded in death by his grandparents, several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Mary Rivers Shores; his parents: Billy J. and Brooksie Shores, Rainsville, AL.; sister, Andrea M. Shores, Bessemer, AL.; brother, Lance W. Shores, Bessemer, AL.; sister-in-laws: Judy (Ralph) Bradford, Sherry (William) Calvert and Donna (Jackie) Cottingham; nieces: Christa (Eric) Spratling and Emily Bradford; nephews: Stephen (Minnie) Calvert, Eric (Helen) Cottingham and Elliott Cottingham; special friends: David and Karen Cottingham and Brian and Vicki Cunningham; his best buddy Sunshine (his dog) and a host of friends.
His family will receive family and friends on Friday, August 3, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Moss Service Funeral Home in Cullman. His graveside service will be on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Mountain View Memory Gardens in Fort Payne with burial to follow in the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Rise Center at The University of Alabama.
