Gary Elias Ayash

Gary Elias Ayash, of Columbia, SC, died Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at the age of 74. He was born in Beirut, Lebanon to Elias and Genevieve Ayash. Gary was an honor graduate of the Lebanon College of Souk-El-Gharb and earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina, as well as a Masters degree in Business Administration from Cornell University in Ithaca, N. Y. He competed in different sports during his school years and continued an exercise regime throughout his life. He enjoyed reading, listening to music, solving crossword puzzles, and watching college football. Gary married Patricia Tully in 1964 and they became parents to three sons: Chris, Aubrey, and Billy. They resided in St. Albans, WV. He was employed by Commonwealth International Services in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and later joined The Trane Company in La Cross, WI. He retired from Federal Coal Company in Charleston, WV and later moved back to Columbia, SC. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Henry, his wife Patti, and son Billy (Heather). He is survived by two sons, Chris (Donna) and Aubrey, his sister Rhonda Johnson (Mark) and three grandchildren, Cullin, Christina, and Billy. He was a kind and generous man with a beautiful sense of humor and wit. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.