Gary Kees

Gary R. Kees, born August 3, 1947, passed away November 5, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Oswego, Kansas to Glen and Velma where he established early on strong work ethics that would carry over in all aspects of his life. The family farm chores began before dawn and ended way after dusk, no matter the season. His Christian foundation was also established early as he was baptized in 1953 at the Methodist Church in Oswego, Kansas.

Education began in a two-room school, Sunny View. He then attended Altamont High School, home of the Grizzlies. He was an honor student and active in 4-H and all sports. His 4-H experiences gave him opportunities to raise and sell livestock, and he used that income to help pay for his college education. His father Glen never wanted Gary to be a dairy farmer, quote, “Son, you have got to get an education.” Also to help pay for his education, he worked summers for the Katy Railroad in Parsons, Kansas and sold magazines door to door with his cousins.

Gary received his college degree in Psychology and Business at Pittsburg State College (currently Pittsburg State University) in Pittsburg, Kansas. He continued to work throughout his entire college years as a mail carrier in Oswego, Kansas and often capitalized on entrepreneurship ideas that helped sustain the income needed for his education. Gary joined the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. As a natural leader he was elected president (1969-1970) of Sigma Tau Gamma chapter, growing the fraternity and ensuring it was the leading organization on campus. Gary, not having a biological brother, considered many of his Sigma Tau Gamma members as brothers and enjoyed lifelong relationships with them. The group kept in touch and came together regularly for the Mad Dog Golf Outing, named after his fraternity brother Fred “Mad Dog” Schmidt.

Gary began his working career in Kansas City and next joined the armed forces in 1970 with basic training in Fort Polk, Louisiana. He then became a candidate for officers training and was commissioned in June of 1972 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He proudly continued his military commitment as an infantry officer in Ft. Benning, Georgia until 1975. The time between 1975 and his honorable discharge in August of 1979 is not totally clear. However, what is known is that he was an active reserve officer in the Army for two years, and his total commitment to the Armed Forces was seven years. GO ARMY!

His entire working career was in “sales”. The bulk of his sales career was with the Berry Company/Yellow Pages based out of Dayton, Ohio. Early on he worked in Canada and Wisconsin with the yellow pages. Lifelong friends to this day were maintained and established. Gary and his family (Sue, his wife, daughters Becky, Chelsea, Britton and Jordan) at that time were transferred and lived in both Rochester, New York and Dayton, Ohio. This Berry Company career led to many “golf” outings with many clients. He truly mastered the game of golf and loved it. His next and last business career was as an agent and financial consultant with Horace Mann Insurance, owning his own book of business in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Cindie and Gary retired to Grove, Oklahoma and lived there for approximately 13 years. They were active in their local community: American Legion, Grove First Baptist Church, Christian based “Recovery Unanimous,” the non-profit Heavenly Angels House social hospice home, and held cabinet positions with the Delaware Gideon Camp. Gary experienced a life-changing spiritual moment as he and other Gideons served testaments to prisoners in Anglo, Louisiana. This is the largest maximum prison in the United States with 90% of all prisoners never to be released. Quote, “I thought I was going there to transform lives, however mine was truly transformed.” The last prisoner he saw on the way out after receiving the testament stated, “Sir, I will see you in heaven.”

Continuing his love for Christ and the great need to bring more to God’s kingdom, he became the current President of the Miami County Gideon Camp in Troy, Ohio. Cindie alongside her Gideon husband became the auxiliary president as well. This happened quickly after moving to Covington, Ohio in June of 2024. He was committed to the mission of this 125-year-old organization that shares the Gospel worldwide. The move to Covington, Ohio was a great move, being closer to his daughters and grandchildren and new members to the Stillwater Community Church. We called it and continue to call it, “God’s Divine Appointment.”

He was predeceased by his father Glen, mother Velma, sister Gwen, brother-in-law Kenneth, niece Janie, nephew Richard and brothers-in-law Jack, Tom, John, and Larry, and in-laws, Mary and Guy Maxson. Survived by his wife Cindie, daughters and sons-in-law Becky (Ed), Chelsea (Mike), Britton (Alex), Jordan, Casey (Andy), Shannon (Daniel), grandkids Ryan (Minghui), Ashley, Nick, Caleb, Allison, Riley, Tyler, Lucy, Matthew, Gwyn and Nolan and great-grandchild Jayden. We cannot forget Ted, our amazing goldendoodle!

We would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at the James Oncology Institute, the James Center ER hospital and The James Center Hospital and the Day City Hospice staff for their ongoing care for Gary. In addition, we are wanting to express our deepest gratitude to our Gideon brothers and sisters for all their prayers and words of encouragement during this journey. Finally, the biggest thank you to our wonderful family, Covington friends and Pastor Jon for being with us every day, on this journey, truly just heartfelt gratefulness overflowing.

A “Celebration of Life” with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 28, 2025, at Stillwater Community Church, 7900 W. Sugar Grove Rd., Covington. In lieu of flowers, gifts or plants, PLEASE consider a donation in memory of Gary to either Stillwater Community Church 7900 W. Sugar Grove Rd. Covington, OH 45318, or Miami County Gideon Camp, P.O. Box 1174, Piqua, OH 45356, where those small Gideon testaments will be sent out. Arrangements are in care of Moore Funeral Home, Covington, and online condolences may be shared with the Kees family at moorefh.com.