Gary Lee Farnsworth

1935 - 2010

Gary Lee Farnsworth, 74, of Dover died Wednesday, July 14, 2010, in his home following a lengthy illness.
A son of the late Clarence and Leah (Mercer) Farnsworth, Gary was born Sept. 24, 1935, at Wheeling, W.Va.
Gary graduated from Adena High School in 1953 as the class salutatorian. He then continued his education at Cleveland State University.
From 1956 to 1969, he worked for Nickle Plate and N & W Railroad as an O.D.R Agent.
In 1967, Gary started a 40-year career with H.R. Block. His career began as a tax preparer for the offices in Wheeling and Pittsburgh. He then became the manager of the Dover office in 1971 then the manager of the Zanesville office a year later. Gary eventually returned to the Dover office as a Managing Satellite Director. Finally in 1984, he purchased the franchise rights to the New Philadelphia and Newcomerstown offices and retired in 2005.
He was a member of the Church of the Living God. Gary was also a member of the Newcomerstown F & A.M. #175 and the Newcomerstown Royal Arch Masons #124.
Gary was an avid sports fan. In his younger years he played American Legion baseball and was a diehard fan of both the Cleveland Indians and Browns teams. Also during his younger years, he was quite a dancer and frequented many square dances.
He was excellent with figures, hence his lengthy career as a tax preparer. He enjoyed reading and started nearly every day with a crossword puzzle.
Gary is survived by his wife, Catherine (Snyder) Hawkins Farnsworth whom he married Oct. 25, 2003; his children, Cheryl Farnsworth of San Jose, Calif., Ellen (Robert) Gifford of Minnesota, Gary (June) Farnsworth of Fort Myers Beach, Fla., and Samuel (Tammy) Farnsworth of Barton, O.; five grandchildren, Anthony, Heather, Kevin, Marissa and Samuel Jr. and a great-grandson, Connor.
Completing the family are five stepdaughters, Cathy Ann (Michael) Eickleberry of Hopedale, O., Patricia (Ken) Cline of Bloomingdale, O., Sarah (Larry) Orr of New Philadelphia, Carolyn (Larry Dean) Johnson of New Athens, O., and Judy Lucas of Canton; 13 step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Pauline Stanick and Jean Griffith; a stepdaughter, Rebecca Hawkins-Chancey; and a step-grandson, Michael Eickleberry.
The family will receive friends on Friday (tonight), July 16, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover and again one hour prior to the service on Saturday. A service celebrating Gary's life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 17, 2010, in the funeral home with Pastor Bob Jones officiating. In keeping with Gary's wishes, cremation will follow the services, and inurnment will be held at a later date in Olive Branch Cemetery at Harrisville, O.
Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and view an online memorial by visiting the funeral home Web site.
Contributions may be made in Gary's memory to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W. 3rd St., Dover, O. 44622 or to Church of the Living God, 1440 5th St. NW, New Philadelphia, O. 44663.
Geib
(330) 343-5506
www.geibcares.com