Straight

On July 30, 2021, Gary Richard Straight lost his six-month battle with stage 4 lung cancer at the Hospice of the Golden Isles. Gary was born in Seattle Washington, on Dec. 29, 1948, to the late Robert and Margaret Straight, who also had another son named Robert (Bob). Gary is survived by his wife, Jeannie, of 39 years who was also born on Dec. 29, but two years earlier than Gary. She was proud to have been his “Baby Cougar.”

Gary graduated from Central Washington University in 1971 and immediately went to work for GE Capital. After 14 years Gary decided to leave corporate America and go into the executive search business and eventually created his own company. In June of 2003, Gary and Jeannie moved to St. Marys. In 2005, Gary purchased S and S Pools but by September of that year, Gary knew he needed more space so he engaged Bill Gross of Gross Construction to build it for him. In 2007, III Palms Plaza became a reality.

As if running a business and being a landlord wasn’t enough, over the years here in St. Marys, Gary has been a board member of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce and until earlier this year, when he had to step down due to his failing health, he was the chairman of the St. Marys Downtown Development Authority. Shortly after they moved to Saint Marys, he and Jeannie became members of the Camden-Kings Bay Navy League, where Jeannie is currently serving as treasurer.

Gary had quit smoking over 30 years ago and two years ago his lung x-ray showed no signs of what was to come. During Gary’s cancer journey, he was being treated by some of the finest and most dedicated, professional medical personnel and their teams. Jeannie would like to express her gratitude for all they did to give Gary the best quality of life and Jeannie as much time as possible with her best friend as they could.

Her thanks go out to Dr. Abraham Cheong, Dr. Daniel Dino, Dr. Herman Levy, Dr. Kenyon Meadows and the wonderful medical personnel on the second floor of our St. Marys hospital where Gary was for 10 days prior to being moved to hospice care. Although Gary was only at the Hospice of the Golden Isles for four days prior to his death, it was evident to Jeannie the staff was dedicated to making the end-of-life event as peaceful and pain free as they could for him.

A celebration of Gary’s life is being planned for later this year. 

Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.