Gary P. McAfee, age 82, of Marion, died peacefully on Monday, September 4, 2017 at home with his loving family by his side following an extended illness.
On October 9, 1934, Gary was born in Marion, Ohio, the elder of two children of the late Emmer “Mac” and Mary Alice McAfee. A lifelong resident of Marion, he graduated from Marion Harding High School in the Class of 1952.
Shortly following graduation, Gary married his classmate and high school sweetheart, Corrine Levien, on August 15, 1954, at Epworth United Methodist Church. They proudly celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary together just a few days prior to her passing in 2014.
He has been a member of the First Church of the Brethren since 1947, where he also served in various positions including Church Board member, Trustee and Deacon.
Proud to be a part of the Marion Community, Gary served on the Y-Men Service Club, Harding High School Booster Club / Band Parents Association, Friends of the Library, Salvation Army, and a volunteer at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. He was honored as the “Citizen of the Year” of Marion for outstanding contributions to the youth of Marion for over 40 years.
Gary will be most remembered for his love of Scouting, having been involved for 75 years. After his friends mother got him involved in Cub Scouts in 1942, he continued his path and ultimate earned his Eagle in 1950. He continued to earn many additional merit badges and received the Silver over Silver Palms. He earned the God and Country Award and was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow. As an adult, Gary continued to be active by receiving many training awards such as the Scoutmaster’s Training and Key Award. He received the Evergreen District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, and the prestigious Distinguished Scoutmaster’s Award, which was presented by the National Eagle Scout Association in 1982. He received his Wood Badge beads and served on the staff of many Wood Badge courses. Gary served on the training staff for the former Harding Area Council and was the chairman for the Wali-ga-zhu scouting shows in 1971, 1977, 1987, and 1991. He served as a District Chair, District Commissioner and eventually was on the Heart of Ohio Council Executive Board for many years. He attended 9 National Jamboree and 2 World Jamborees, and hiked the trails at Philmont in New Mexico six times. He attended “Gilwell” near London, England in 1982 and was the Scoutmaster for the Canadian Jamboreal at Timmons, Ontario, Canada in 1988. There are countless activities and trainings that Gary was a part of but nothing was more precious than his tenure in Troop 32. He served as the Scoutmaster for 33 years. Nearly 100 scouts earned their Eagle rank through his leadership. He obviously touched many young men’s futures with his dedication to the troop. He loved going on all the campouts and troop activities where the scouts learned so many valuable lifelong skills. He made sure the troop took special trips to such places as Canada, New England states, Alaska, Tennessee, jamborees, Philmont, and always to Summer Camp. He was especially proud that all of his sons, grandsons, and one great-grandson achieved the rank of Eagle—following in his footsteps.
Gary will be missed by his three sons: Terry (Bonnie) McAfee of Caldwell, OH, Chris (Laura) McAfee of Marion, and Tracy (Susan) McAfee of Rural Retreat, Virginia; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; his sister, Jill (Ralph) Thompson of Royal Oak, Michigan; and sister-in-law, Pauline (Cecil) Fulmer of Hayden, AL. Also missing him are several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Including his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Corrine Y. McAfee on August 20, 2014.
His family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2017, at the Snyder Funeral Homes, DENZER Chapel, 360 E. Center St., Marion Ohio. Services honoring his life will be held at 10a.m. on Saturday, at the First Church of the Brethren, 860 E. Church St., Marion, with Pastor Rick Hicks officiating. Burial will follow in Chapel Heights Memory Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of the Brethren (address above), Boy Scouts of America, 1301 Mt. Vernon Ave., Marion, OH 43302, and Salvation Army 317 West Church, Marion, Ohio.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Marion are honored to have been chosen to serve Gary’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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