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Larry Gara Obituary
Larry Gara, 97, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at Cape May nursing home.
He was born on May 16, 1922 in San Antonio, Texas to Helen Gara and Stanley Stutzman. He was raised by his mother and maternal grandparents in Reading, Pennsylvania.
He began his college education at Kutztown State Teachers' College before earning his bachelor's degree at William Penn College in Iowa. His graduate studies focused on U.S. history; he received a master's degree from Penn State and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.
He taught at several colleges, including Bluffton (Ohio), Mexico City, Eureka (Illinois), and Grove City (Pennsylvania), before moving to Wilmington College (WC) in 1962. His career at WC spanned several decades, and he continued teaching part-time following his retirement in 1992. He remained an active member of the WC community until only recently, as his health began to decline.
From a very early age, he developed a deep love of art, birdwatching, and jazz, all of which became lifelong passions.
While still in high school, he was strongly influenced by the principles of pacifism while becoming active in the Quaker Church. His convictions were strengthened over the years, and he never wavered from his principles, which emphasized nonviolence as a prerequisite for resolving all human conflicts. He spent his entire adult life devoted to making the world a more just and peaceful place for all.
He will continue to live on through all of those who were influenced by his guidance and wisdom.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 22 at the Wilmington College Kelly Center McCoy Room.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial gifts be made to the Peace Resource Center c/o Wilmington College, 1870 Quaker Way, Wilmington, OH 45177.
Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home assisted the family. For more information or to leave a note of condolence for Larry's family, visit www.smithandsonfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Larry Gara
Sponsored by Frank and Veronica Renfrow.
Don Spurling
December 4, 2020
It is said that the meek shall inherit the earth. Larry may have been meek, but being meek does not mean being weak. RIP Larry.
February 26, 2020
Met Larry on the Continental Walk for Disarment and Social Justice, 1976. He was supportive, incisive and a fine human being, who enriched many of us. In my thoughts. rob j boudewijn
Julia Murphy
December 27, 2019
Larry was such a wonderful human being. The world will miss him. Condolences.
Don Spurling
December 13, 2019
Sorry for your loss. How many among us would have the courage to withstand being taunted, ridiculed, even jailed for standing up for what we believe? Larry may have been small in stature, but he was a very brave and determined peaceful man.
Frank Renfrow
December 12, 2019
Larry was a true friend, a warm and compassionate person who stood up at numerous times during his life for the cause of Peace. Larry will always hold a special place in my heart. My sincere condolences to all of the Gara family.
Rich Heiland
December 12, 2019
So many fond memories of a courageous man.
Gary McCoy
December 11, 2019
Dear Gara family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Larry was such a kind and wonderful man. Larry and I shared in many joyful conversations each morning when he would drop off the mail to the college mail room. I miss those mornings and his insight and laughter to the topics we would share. On behalf of my wife Sandy and I, we extend our sincerest condolences.
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