Gary Resor, 70, passed away unexpectedly surrounded by the love of his family at Southeastern Med, after a courageous battle with cancer. Though cancer stole years from his life, it never stole who he was. Until the final weeks, few would have ever guessed he was fighting such a difficult battle over the last two and a half years. His passing was unexpected, and the loss left behind is immeasurable.

Gary was born June 17, 1955, in Union City, Indiana, to the late Raymond E. Resor and Wilma J. (Sutton) Resor. He was one of three sons and was preceded in death by his brothers, Jaye and Douglas Resor. 

He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife of 37 years, Lynn (Gordnier) Resor, and his son, Dale Resor. 

Gary leaves behind his children: Ryan (Jennifer Eltringham) Resor and Erin (Ted Norris) Rieder-Norris; daughter-in-law Melissa Resor, widow of his late son Dale; and the grandchildren who were among the greatest joys of his life: Zyler, Treyson, Gaige, Conner, Abel Rieder, Addilynn Norris, Gavin and Cashtin Resor, and Ethan and Jacob Resor. 

He is also survived by nephews Kyle and Kaleb Resor, Shane and Donnie Gordnier; nieces Amber and Sheridan Resor; special friends Skip and Dave Wilson, who were like family; and countless friends of his own and those of his children and grandchildren who loved Gary as their own father and grandfather. 

Gary spent over 50 years as a highly skilled electrician. He worked for Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center for more than 10 years as their electrician and retired from New River Electrical as a wire foreman. There was seemingly nothing he could not fix, build, wire, or figure out. He was incredibly intelligent, a math whiz, wise with money and investments, and so talented with construction that he built numerous homes simply because he enjoyed it. 

But no accomplishment in life ever mattered to him more than his family. 

His greatest pride was watching his children and grandchildren succeed. The work ethic, determination, kindness, humor, and honesty he instilled will continue to ripple through generations because of the example he set every single day. 

Gary was the kind of man who gave without hesitation. One year while traveling, money was stolen from his suitcase. His response was simply, “I hope whoever took it really needed it or spends it on someone who really needed it.” That was Gary — kind even when the world wasn’t kind back. 

He loved taking trips to Las Vegas with his daughter-in-law Melissa, celebrating wins at “The Island” with his son Ryan, singing old-time country songs, smoking some of the best meat around, and making people laugh with a refreshing sense of humor. His only daughter was his real-life princess — and the only person he ever fully listened to. He always said, “She’ll take care of old Dad.” From the very first day they met, Gary and his son-in-law Teddy shared an instant bond. 

Gary never feared saying “I love you.” He was sensitive, honest, dependable, and deeply loved by everyone fortunate enough to know him. 

Ryan and Erin were held in Gary’s arms as they took some of their very first breaths in life, and in return, they held onto their father as he took his last. 

Per Gary’s request, a private showing was held for immediate family only, with a celebration of life held at a later date. As he always said, “I’ll be dead. I don’t need everyone gawking at me. I’m not there anymore.” 

While his family’s hearts are shattered by his departure from this earthly home, they find peace knowing he is finally reunited with those he loved and lost far too soon. 

There will never be another Gary Resor. Those who loved him will spend the rest of their lives trying to honor him by continuing to be the good he so naturally gave to the world. 

He finally gets to meet Chuck Norris although he always said “I taught him everything he knows.”

Gary’s generous spirit continued through organ donation, offering hope and help to others in need.

The family would like to express their gratitude to all caregivers involved in assisting Gary over the last 2.5 years, especially the heartfelt personalized care and support in the last hours of his life spent at Southeastern Med, within the very walls he spent numerous years of his life fixing things. Now he too is “fixed and restored.”