Gary Edward Mann

Gary Edward Mann, 58, of Macon died suddenly Thursday of cardiac arrest after a short illness. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Riverside United Methodist Church, of which Gary was an extremely devoted member, with visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, 746 Cherry Street.

Gary was born with cerebral palsy caused by a birth accident, and he struggled heroically against it, with much help from his mother and father, the late David S. Mann, M.D., and many dedicated teachers and therapists, all his life. He attended T.D. Tinsley School of Special Education and then, with tremendous courage, perseverance and effort, overcoming many obstacles, became the first multi-handicapped student to be “mainstreamed” into Bibb County Public Schools, attending Ballard Junior High School and Central High School, where he graduated in 1979. He then attended Mercer University, where he was an active member of Kappa Alpha Order, and graduated with a degree in Human Services in 1985. At both graduations, as Gary slowly walked across the stage to accept his diploma, he received a standing ovation from the audience.

Gary held a number of jobs over the years, working at a computer. He was employed by the Middle Georgia office of the U.S. Census Bureau during the 1990 Census, inputting data, then worked for many years at Macon-Bibb County Fire Department headquarters, and he was proud of his status as an honorary firefighter. More recently he worked in the library at Stratford Academy and as a volunteer in the office at his church.

Despite his condition, Gary maintained a cheerful disposition that was an inspiration to many who knew him. His proudest accomplishment was telling his story in an autobiography, “Everybody Is Special,” published by Mercer University Press and with a foreword by well-known author Ferrol Sams, a longtime friend of Gary’s father. For several years Gary also was a member of a Boy Scout troop for disabled boys.

Survivors include his mother, Joyce Daniel Mann of Macon; brothers, David H. Mann of Atlanta and Clark D. Mann and his wife, Tina, of Oviedo, Fla.; sister, Beverly Gromer and her husband, Greg, of Blue Ridge, Ga.; an uncle and many aunts, cousins, nephews and a niece.

Donations in Gary’s memory may be made to Riverside United Methodist Church, 735 Pierce Avenue, Macon, GA 31204.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.