Gary passed away on August 16, 2003, at age 46, of a heart attack due to ephedrine abuse. He battled schizophrenia most of his life, having been diagnosed at age 16. In the years leading up to his death, his addictions turned him into someone his family did not know. This having been said, Gary's death taught me a very tough lesson about life: Never turn your back on someone you care about.
Those of you who knew Gary may remember that he was an outstanding little league baseball player, and that he also loved to go fishing at Morgan Falls when he was young. I will never forget the home run he hit off of star pitcher Gil Mende at St. John's in the opening game of the 1968 Sandy Springs Little League season. Mende and Optimist Club were shutting out Saccone's until Gary hit a line shot that was 20 feet high when it cleared the center-field fence.
Allan - I can't say that I knew Gary, but I do remember him. I think we were in the same homeroom by virtue of alphabet and our last names. Having lost several people dear to me as a result of substance abuse, depression, or a lethal combination of the two, my heart goes out to you and your family. I, too, have concluded that you should never walk away from someone you love; but I do continue to struggle with learning to understand and accept that there are more ways than one to have someone's back, and sometimes none of those are enough. Sometimes a drowning person has to be willing to reach out and grab a hand, but for some unknown reason chooses to swim away. Thanks for sharing Gary's happy baseball story - I could see it! That's just as much a part of who Gary was and is what you keep in your heart - sounds to me like you were there for him more than you realize. Jan Murdock Yeckes
Allan Nix (1973)
Gary passed away on August 16, 2003, at age 46, of a heart attack due to ephedrine abuse. He battled schizophrenia most of his life, having been diagnosed at age 16. In the years leading up to his death, his addictions turned him into someone his family did not know. This having been said, Gary's death taught me a very tough lesson about life: Never turn your back on someone you care about.
Those of you who knew Gary may remember that he was an outstanding little league baseball player, and that he also loved to go fishing at Morgan Falls when he was young. I will never forget the home run he hit off of star pitcher Gil Mende at St. John's in the opening game of the 1968 Sandy Springs Little League season. Mende and Optimist Club were shutting out Saccone's until Gary hit a line shot that was 20 feet high when it cleared the center-field fence.
Jan Murdock (Yeckes) (1974)
Allan - I can't say that I knew Gary, but I do remember him. I think we were in the same homeroom by virtue of alphabet and our last names. Having lost several people dear to me as a result of substance abuse, depression, or a lethal combination of the two, my heart goes out to you and your family. I, too, have concluded that you should never walk away from someone you love; but I do continue to struggle with learning to understand and accept that there are more ways than one to have someone's back, and sometimes none of those are enough. Sometimes a drowning person has to be willing to reach out and grab a hand, but for some unknown reason chooses to swim away. Thanks for sharing Gary's happy baseball story - I could see it! That's just as much a part of who Gary was and is what you keep in your heart - sounds to me like you were there for him more than you realize. Jan Murdock Yeckes