Wilmington, North Carolina
Gary ShellWilmingtonGary Shell was born in Washington D.C., on 10/28/1947. As a child he lived in Rocky Mount and Raleigh graduating from Broughton High School in 1965. Gary attended Wilmington College and graduated in 1969 from UNCW. The early jobs he held as a school bus driver and swim team...
Read MoreGary's AT namesake, Crabby Appleton, always signed his journals with: "Travel Light, Live Light, Spread the Light, Be the Light"...Gary was the light in many lives, his smile, the twinkle in his eye, the sound of his laughter, his wit, and kind and gentle manner were his hallmarks. Loving him was easy, missing him is perpetual.
May 25, 2011
Gary served the City of Wilmington for 22 years, Woodstock Vermont recreation for 6, and taught school for 11. As his brother, I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of positive comments from the people he impacted.
As Ned stated, a life well lived.
Bruce Shell
May 24, 2011 | Wilmington, NC
I consider Gary to have been a friend and mentor. We hiked many a mile together on the AT, every one of them made more enjoyable by his company. I consider myself fortunate to have known Gary, and regret that I'll never have an opportunity to tell him how much our friendship meant to me.
Tony Clark
May 16, 2011 | Fuquay-Varina, NC
I did not know Gary but I have known Barbara actually all of my life. We share the exact same birthday and were born in the same hospital. I know Gary must have been an extraordinary man for her to love him as she did. I know with God's love and compassion you will have the beautiful memories to cherish. Love in Christ. Susan Kolander, Montgomery, Al.
May 15, 2011
Gary, like the rest of the Shells, never met a stranger. He knew so many people, from his students in the early days of his career, to the rest of New Hanover County as a "grown-up". We will dearly miss him. Thoughts and prayers to all the family. I'm not sure Halyburton Park will be big enough to hold all of Gary's closest friends! Cathy and David Moniot
May 14, 2011
Alhtough Gary may have graduated from Wilmihgton College, it is really East Carolina Universtiy where I first met Gary. He used to travel a lot over to ECU to visit with his future wife, and my good friend, Annette. He had a great smile and genuine sense of humor. Although I remember him as an eighteen year old girl, I have to say his photo taken recently still made me remember the young nineteen year old! He will be sincerely missed. Pat Tomkinson
Patricia Tomkinson
May 14, 2011 | Mount Laurel, NJ
A life well-lived. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Take care.
Ned and Suzanne Glascock
May 14, 2011 | Wilmington, NC
May your fond and loving memories of Gary sustain you in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Wayne Teachey
May 14, 2011 | Topsham, ME
