Gary Wilson
Charles Gary Wilson, 68, of Martin, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Gary was born on May 24, 1953, in Ripley, to Faye Wilson and the late Charles H. Wilson. Gary grew up in Dresden and graduated from Dresden High School in 1971. He then earned degrees from Freed-Hardeman and UT Martin, including his M.S. in Educational Psychology and Counseling. In 1976, he began teaching for the Tennessee Intensive English Program at UT Martin in the Department of International Programs. Gary enjoyed trips to the Holy Land in the 1970s along with international trips to Mexico and Asia in the early 1980s. In 1980, Gary studied at Georgetown University before marrying Sheila
Williams in Falls Church, Virginia. They raised two sons, Adam and Eric. Gary served for 38 years as a professor teaching English as a second language, was a charter member of TNTESOL, and ended his career as Director of International Programs at UT Martin. Gary was a faithful
member of Martin Church of Christ, and, over the years, preached for Bible Union Church of Christ, Gardner Church of Christ, and Berea Church of Christ. He volunteered coaching youth sports for many years and enjoyed singing, playing guitar, fishing, and watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball. He was a loving and supportive husband, father, and grandfather. Gary is survived by his wife, Sheila; sons, Adam (Jennings) and Eric; three grandchildren, Cal, Davis and Marion; mother, Faye; and three sisters, Gayle Morgan, Sandra Jolley and Laurie (Mike) Billingsby. Visitation will be held at the Martin Church Of Christ on Friday, August 27, 2021 from 9 a.m. until funeral time at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Gary Wilson Scholarship Fund at the University of Tennessee at Martin, 328 Hall-Moody Administration Building, 554 University St., Martin, TN 38237 or call 731-881-7610 for instructions to give online.