GARY LANE STRAIT SR.
Gary Lane Strait, Sr. of Liberty, passed away on February 14, 2022, due to a lengthy illness. Gary was born in Connersville, on November 26, 1950, to Delbert and Betty Sullivan Strait Schisler. He was preceded in death by his Father, Delbert Burdett Strait, a Step-Father, Tom Schisler, a sister, Debbie Ward and a Great Granddaughter, Laurie Bishop.
Gary was a well-known and an accomplished Autobody Technician and extremely talented custom Painter. He started in his early childhood with drawings and painted his first car alone at the age of 15. Gary’s work is known nationally and internationally. He was featured in and on many magazines and appeared on the television network, “Speed Channel.” Gary was an Artist, from building Motorcycles, Hot Rods, to extraordinary custom paint jobs. Gary owned and operated several of his own Body Shops throughout his life in Liberty, Richmond, and Oxford where he taught and passed on his skills and talent to his children. Gary also worked at Wagner Village Cadillac in Richmond and Red Neck Ingenuity in Liberty, South Carolina. Gary loved to hunt and spend time with his friends and loved ones laughing and joking.
Gary is survived by his mother, Betty Schisler of Richmond. Four sisters, Sharon Pennington (Richmond), Brenda (Barry) Edwards (Liberty), Cynthia Sheets (Richmond) and Cecilia Crow (Richmond).
Four sons; Gary Jr. (Dawn) of Liberty, Tony (Jenny) of Liberty, Mike (Vernie) of W. College Corner and Todd of Lynn. One daughter, Dawn Renee Loper (Ray) of W. Manchester.
13 Grandchildren; Ryan Pitcher of Oxford, Miranda (Matt) Finch of Liberty, Myra Strait of Elizabeth Town, Ky., Mercedes Silar of Richmond, Maggie Strait of Kentucky, Angel Strait of Kentucky, James of Liberty, Andrew (Anna) Strait of Brownsville, Samantha Strait of Liberty, Michael Strait of Liberty, Devon Strait of Liberty, Krystin Heath of New Paris, and Dalton Loper of New Paris.
11 Great Grandchildren and one arriving in June. Many nieces and nephews.
Special mention to Gary’s Ex-Wife, Margie Strait Ray, the mother of his children and special Care Giver, and to his Ex-Wife Kim Carr to whom he was married to for more than 28 years and who actively loves and cares for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Visitation for Gary will be on Saturday February 19, 2022, from 11 am to 1 pm at Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home, 310 N. Main, Liberty. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 pm with Pastor Ed Sanders officiating. Burial will follow at Brownsville.
My condolences to Gary’s family…As a classmate, he was always super nice to me and kind, as well as humble. I never knew of his many automotive skills/talents. May he Rest In Peace.