Gary Betts Obituary
Gary was born March 12, 1940, in Millersburg, KY to Gordon Willis and Ruby Davis Betts. He attended the Millersburg Military Institute in Millersburg, KY and spent summers along the Kentucky River at Kamp Kaydet (Woodford County). A graduate of Southern Methodist University and Perkins School of Theology, he was an ordained Methodist Minister with the New York Annual Conference for over 50 years. He served many churches in the area including Centerport United Methodist Church (Centerport, NY), United Methodist Church of Port Washington (Port Washington, NY), United Methodist Church of Purdys (North Salem, NY), Summerfield United Methodist Church (Port Chester, NY), and Patchogue United Methodist Church (Patchogue, NY).
A natural educator, Gary taught with the US Teacher Corps in 1967 in Los Angeles, CA. He was the New York Annual Conference Secretary in 1988. Some of the highlights of his career included time spent as a youth pastor. In the summer, Gary organized bike tours across Long Island with nights spent at local host churches, and in winter, he arranged ski trips in upstate NY and New England.
After his retirement from the United Methodist Church, Gary relocated back to Woodford County and spent 11 years working as a Security Officer at Darley/Godolphin Farm in Lexington, KY. He was an active volunteer with the Kentucky River Watershed Watch, retaining his love for the river. His favorite place was on the river in his canoe, an activity he enjoyed with his family until his last months.
Survivors include his loving wife (Alcira) and daughter, Rachel Leigh (Steven Dailey) Betts of Rochester, NY, brother, Gordon (Oneida) Betts of West Palm Beach, FL, nieces and nephews, Gordie (Sharon) Betts, of Lexington, KY, Beverly Betts of Lexington, KY, Barbara (Frank) Combs of Lexington, KY, and Brenda (Bob Wempe) Betts, of Houston TX.
No public services will be held. Family will be remembering him privately through multiple Celebration of Life activities. Friends and family are encouraged to leave messages of condolence and share memories here on Gary's tribute wall.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Helen Smith
January 7, 2024
When I was given custody of my three young grandchildren (ages 5,4, and 2) Gary was the Pastor of the United Methodist Church of Patchogue. I knew my grandchildren needed to establish a relationship with God so I enrolled them in the Sunday School of the United Church of Patchogue. Bringing them to Sunday School every week also aided myself in reestablishing a working relationship with God that had become distant over the years. I believe my grandchildren learned a lot, made many friends and learned how to be friends. In Youth Group they enjoyed weekends at Camp Quinipet on Shelter Island, lock-downs at various local churches to protest people not having enough to eat. They went on trips with various local Youth Groups. The raked leaves for members of the church as a fund raiser. My oldest grandson went with a group of local members to participate in doing home repairs for older people. The always were doing something worthwhile for the community. Gary taught me and my grandchildren how to be compassionate and sympathetic without feeling "better than". I was devastated when he left. I thought of him many times over the years and hoped he and his family were doing well. He was a good friend to me and an excellent servant of God.
With sincere sympathy,
Helen Smith
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