Like so many others, this first thing I remember is Gary's smile. He lived his faith and trusted Jesus. What a precious legacy for his family. Pat, kids, and grandkids you are in my prayers. I'm asking God to give you comfort, strength, and peace. May you rest in the assurance that Gary is with his beloved savior. 

I am sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. My condolences to you Pat, your children and extended family.
As it’s obvious in the comments below, we are not like those who have no hope. What a blessing you and Gary are the way you have lived your lives for Jesus. It encourages me to hear how the message of God’s love flowed from Gary to so many people. It reminds me of the words in one of the songs our friend Joe Markko wrote, “ Well I’ve stopped and thought of what he’s done and I’ve looked back once to see how far I’ve come and I’m pushing on. And I’ve stopped and thought what I could give, I’ve only got my life to live for him.”  Well done brother! What glory awaits!

We were such close friends for years. We worked together and were room mates.  A great guy who loved the Lord.  We surely had some fun times, like the day we drove around in this sports car.  Can't wait to see you again.

This man put so much Love and happiness in this world. I met Gary when I was just a small girl and he has always had a smile and his laugh I will not forget. It has been too many years since I have shared his presence. My deep heartfelt condolences to his family. Im sure he will always be present in your lives. 

A great co-worker and a true friend.  You will be sorely missed 'lil buddy.  Save me a seat at the table up there my friend.

I first met Gary at the Chapel boys Brigade Program.  I so much appreciated the role Gary played in helping to mentor my 3 boys, now grown.  The most important thing to Gary was to help people love Jesus if they already knew Him, and to know Jesus if they didn't.  
I will miss Gary but am joyful that he is home with his savior.

I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing but I know he is with Jesus. I remember the first time I met him, he and Pat formed the Home Oriented Parent Educators in 1988. Gary and Pat were home education pioneers in Summit County and showed the way for many, many home schooling parents with support group meetings, paying attention to the legislative activities in Ohio in those early years, and being in front of parents to fully give help and assistance for many years. Gary was great for all the dads that came to meetings. My condolences, prayers, and thoughts go out to Pat and their children.

Gary and I shared similar journeys to Christ. We laughed about our bad old days and praised God for His mercy. Just seeing so many familiar faces at the service today, I am reminded of how much FUN we all had. You and Chuckie and Dave H and Chris S and on and on and on ....  Don't know if God will want anything built in heaven, but I would be honored to help you guys build it.

God determined he needed a servant so he created Gary.  Gary, you will be missed here but welcomed and rewarded in heaven.

Gary was a true mentor and friend, I remember my first canoe trip I had nothing no tent no sleeping Bag Just showed up He looked out for me got me settled taught me everything from camping , marksmanship even helped me with my first flat tire after battalion one Sunday night.  Ain’t no grave going to hold your body down! You are home. 

Gary will be greatly missed. He was a good friend and neighbor to the church. Our condolences go out to the family.

I miss you brother and think of the times we had together sharing Christ and serving Jesus in Mississippi and Stoney Glenn and.habitat and you pulling the nail from my hand!!  We will be together again someday soon!


Gary was compelled to share the love of Christ. Whether working with boys or young men or sharing a cup of coffee with a friend, he was always giving of himself to touch the lives of others. I'll miss his quick smile & words of encouragement.  

Gary Bittner

Gary was a great man who impacted many boys such as myself. When I needed someone I could rely on he was there. My first time at stony glen camp was because of Gary. My first time truly enjoying the outdoors he was alongside me. He truly opened my eyes to god when he showed me this book, tattered and ripped, held together by nothing but layers duct tape. His bible. I was in awe that not only had he kept a book together for so long, but had carried it wherever he went. It inspired me to read and use my bible until it was worn until the point his had been worn. All it took to form hundreds of not thousands of young boys into men was Gary and that book. Combined they were unstoppable against anything that was put up against them. I am exited for the time to come where I am able talk, walk and read with Gary again. Until then, He will be deeply missed. 

Although we lived miles apart I treasure the times that my cousin, Gary, and I "hung out" via the phone.  Whether reminiscing about our childhoods, fond memories of our grandparents or updating each other on our lives, faith and family were always a part of the conversations.  Gary loved the Lord, his family and as most of us know a hot cup of coffee from McDonalds.  Gary, you ran the race well and now are in His presence where there is fullness of joy.  Hallelujah!

I had the privilege of meeting Gary many years ago when I was room-mates with his sister, Judy.
When Gary found out that I was also a member of The Chapel he wisely opened my eyes to a terrible situation. I prayed for Judy till I saw that she had passed away. His sister Becky was very nice to me , as well.
Gary is worshipping at the throne of our Savior, Jesus Christ for all eternity. What a comfort. ✝️

I am sad to hear of Gary’s death I remember how much fun the 6 of us  cousins had growing up - especially the wonderful holidays and birthdays.  
My thoughts are with Pat and the family.  Janet 

I remember going on my first backpacking trip with the brigade boys and Gary. I had overpacked my backpack and was struggling up a long slope. I stopped to rest and was talking with some other dads. When I got up and started walking again I was tugged to a dead stop and could not move forward. Gary had tied a rope from a tree to my backpack while I was distracted by the other dads. We all got a laugh from that. I do miss those days and those friends. 

Miss you Gary! Really, really enjoyed all those years working with you in Boys Brigade. Still remember waking up on one of those cold, wet canoe trips, opening the flap of the pup tent and finding an extra large cup of hot McDonald's coffee setting there in the grass.
   See you soon,
David

I am so thankful for the impact Gary's life, his love for Christ, had on our family as a friend and through Brigade. And so very thankful we know where he is and we will see him again.
Mary Kate Bush

Gary and battalion were crucial in my nephew's growth in Christ, Gary baptized Justin Hastings, I am forever grateful to him and all the battalion group. We love you Gary. Chuck and Justin Hastings

Our family was blessed by Gary's kind heart in many ways.  We will always remember him a a mentor and inspiration to our sons and my husband.  You could not know Gary and not know he loved the Lord Jesus.  That alone is a way he blessed us.  My boys to this day talk about "Ranger Gary" as an crucial influence on their lives and they faith walk.  I personally felt Gary's love for our family as it grew and grew up and I will miss the joy with which he always spoke to those around him.  

Absent in body but present it spirit Gary is now experiencing the awesome God he used to love to sing about!

Dear Pat and family,  
I'm a better man, father, Christ-follower... for having known Gary.  I've known him since the brigade days at the Akron campus of the Chapel where I would get to assist him along with many others.  ( I still have the slice of wood that Gary gave me and others years ago in the console of my car, and the idea was when you see it you pray for the other men in our group and to this day I do) Then many of us would meet in the wood shop for a bible study on Thursday evenings.  One of the many cool things about Gary is he would tell me that he loved me!  He would regularly ask about my kids, my wife,  recently my first granddaughter, and my dachshunds :)

Pat, Gary is home!  

Helen and I are praying for you and your family during this difficult time.

Vince

Pat and family, we are praying for you during this time. Gary was a great friend over the last 41 years, I loved him and he was such a  blessing in my life in so many ways. “We sorrow, but not as those who have no hope..,” 1 Thess 4:13.

Deb and I are thankful for spending time with him on Sunday.  A real shock to hear of his passing.

I remember a time our car broke down on the freeway after we left church. Gary waited for the tow truck, told us about a mechanic and took us home.  He was a friend you could always count on who loved the Lord.

A wonderful man, husband, father, and an incredible mentor in my life. Thank you for all your work to usher in His kingdom. Say hi to dad for me, Gary. I love you, brother! Thank you for being one of the great influences in my life and helping teach me how to live life as a man of God. You will be greatly missed.

Gary was the most influential mentor in my life when I was in  grade school, and continued to be a good friend into my adult life. I owe a lot of who I am today to Gary Allen. A great man, he will be greatly missed.

A great father, grandfather, husband, coworker, teacher, and friend. Too soon for you to go, but God's timing is always perfect. I'll miss you brother. Save me a seat beside you at the table up there!

OBITUARY

Gary Eugene Allen

August 10, 1953 – October 27, 2021

Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home

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