Lion Gary has served with Lions Clubs International for more than 25 years. He is currently in the Aberdeen Lions Club where he serves as the club secretary and membership chair. He has previously served with three other Lions Clubs (Hamlet, Lake Waccamaw, and Richmond County Breakfast). He has sponsored more than 80 members into Lions Clubs and has received extension awards for eight new Lions Clubs.
He has served as Club President, Zone Chair, and several district and state chairs for the Council of Governors and NC Lions Inc. He previously served as District Governor in 2005-6 and Council Chair in 2008-9. He has been recognized with several awards including District Lion of the Year in 2005, Jack Stickley Fellowship, Jack Stickley Award, Woolard Partner in Service, Scruggs Beacon of Hope, Melvin Jones Fellowship, Presidential Medals, Presidential Leadership Medals, and Presidential Certificates of Appreciation.
Hailing from Robbins, he is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a degree in journalism. He also earned an MBA from Fayetteville State University. Following graduation, Gary served as a journalist for six years before moving on to public relations/marketing in healthcare and higher education. He completed his career as a fundraising professional with Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, retiring in 2019.
Lion Gary and Jill serve at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Carthage where they are on several committees. They enjoy vacationing at Oak Island Beach and sampling various seafood restaurants in the area. They are the proud parents of two adult children, three grandchildren, and one cat.