Gary W. Candlish

Gary Wayne Candlish, 64, beloved husband, father, andSaba (Hebrew for ‘grandfather’) was promoted to heaven to be with his Lord and Savior on April 22, 2011 at Cedine Bible Camp, Spring City, Tennessee. Gary was born on July 23, 1946 to Morris and Velma (Finley) Candlish in Searcy, Arkansas. He spent his elementary and secondary school years in Kokomo, Indiana. He married his high school sweetheart, Carol Lynn Getz on August 20, 1966 at Bible Baptist Church in Kokomo, Indiana. He attended Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he earned a Bachelor of Religious Education degree. He also earned a Master’s degree in Christian School Administration from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. Gary’s life in Christian Ministry began in 1968 as a Youth Pastor in Evansville, Indiana. Since that time, he has spent his life serving the Lord as Minister of Music, Youth Camp Director, Associate Pastor, Senior Pastor, Academic Dean and Professor, and Church Planter in several states. He was President and Founder ofJewish Ministry Institute which was committed to “bridging the gap� with the Jewish community, one heart at a time. This ministry focused on prophecy conferences, camp ministry, college and seminary lectures, evangelism, discipleship and study/ministry trips, which led him to opportunities to teach in churches and colleges around the country as well as Australia and Israel. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Maryville, TN. He is survived by his wife, Carol, Maryville, TN; two sons, Gary Matthew (Kristi) Candlish, Alhambra, IL and David Candlish, Union Grove, WI; and five daughters, Amy Candlish, Bartow, FL, Erica (Michael) Allen, Lakeland, FL, Abby Candlish, Lakeland, FL, Tiffany Berrien, Bartow, FL and Chelsea Candlish, Maryville, TN; five grandchildren, that he always referred to as “great� grandchildren, Tyler, Branden and Gracellyn Allen, Lakeland, FL and Maya and Olivia Candlish, Alhambra, IL. He is also survived by hismother, Velma Candlish, Maryville, TN; three brothers, John Candlish, Knoxville, TN, Greg (Candy) Candlish, Knoxville, TN, Kevin (Mary) Candlish, Jacksonville, FL and sister Sandy (Carter) Taylor, Evansville, TN, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Morris Candlish. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 26, 2011 from 12-2pm at New Hope Baptist Church, 605 Dotson Memorial Road, Maryville, TN with a coming home service immediately following.Internment will follow the service at Grandview Cemetery, 2304 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jewish Ministry Institute, 120 Pearson Springs Park Lane, Maryville, TN 37803. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryvile, 983-1000.