Gary Dale Stires

1944 - 2017

Stires Rev. Gary Dale Stires, 72, of Pataskala, passed away on May 21, 2017 and is finally in the arms of Jesus. He was born on October 6, 1944 in Columbus, OH, a son to the late Orville and Kathryn Stires. Gary is also preceded in death and in heaven with his loving wife of 51 years, Nancy Stires, infant twin sons Brandon and Brian Matthew Stires and special friend of the family, Keith A. Jacobs. He is survived by his children, Timothy Stires (Michael Chad Gittings) and Kathleen (Rodney) Ayres; grandchildren, Daniel Krause, Megan Krause (Marisa Moraleja), Eric Strubhar and twins, Garrett Brandon Stires and Gavin Brian Stires; great-grandchildren, Landen Krause, Lakota Krause-Moraleja, Liam Krause-Moraleja and Charli Krause-Moraleja; siblings, Dean (Susan) Stires, Kathryn Burnworth and Bonnie Bockover; and many nieces and nephews. He started out in Ministry as an assistant minister at the Columbia Center Community Church for 20 years. Gary was ordained as a minister at the Church of God in Canton, Ohio. In 1988 he started his own church, Freedom Gospel Assembly Church of God where he served for 15 years until his retirement. Part of his ministries included, prison ministries, pray line ministries and nursing home ministries. Gary worked at Lennox Industries for 30 plus years and was a school bus driver for 15 years with Southwest Licking Schools. Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at KAUBER-FRALEY FUNERAL HOME, 289 S. Main St., Pataskala, OH 43062. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home with Rev. Gary Reiss officiating. Interment will follow at Pataskala Cemetery. A special thanks and love goes to his personal caregiver and friend, Meki Wyant. Who also took care of his wife since 2006. Special thanks to Mount Carmel Hospice and their nurses for their care. Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Carmel Hospice or Pataskala Church of the Nazarene in Gary's memory. An online memorial will be available at www.kauberfraley.com