ROY DAVIS McGARY, SR., 1915 – 2002

Welder raced cars, loved the outdoors

LIBERTY CENTER, Ohio - Roy Davis McGary, Sr., a welder and avid outdoorsman, died Wednesday in Toledo Hospital after having a stroke. He was 86.

Mr. McGary of Liberty Center came to the area in 1940. He took welding classes in Napoleon and was a welder and sheet metal worker for several companies with Sheet Metal Worker Union Local 6.

In the World War II years, Mr. McGary worked on high-tech military equipment, including tanks and airplanes. ‘He took pride in the fact he was on the cutting edge,’ his son, Roy, Jr., said.

Mr. McGary stayed at the forefront of his field by being one of the first in the area to be involved with plastics welding. He retired in 1977.

He enjoyed many outdoor activities, including trap shooting, fishing, golfing, and hunting. He was a founding member of Henry County Sportsman Club and was in the Fulton County club.

Mr. McGary grew up in Kentucky and southern Indiana. He graduated from high school in Boonville, Ind., and was in the Works Progress Administration program during the Depression. As a truck driver, he hauled materials and machinery for the first tomato factory in Napoleon.

Mr. McGary dabbled in racecar driving, amateur boxing, and flying airplanes. His talents included playing the organ by ear and oil painting. He painted murals on his shed and garage doors.

Mr. McGary raised a few acres of corn in his later years and, after his brother died, he helped his sister-in-law farm. ‘He was willing to help anybody who needed it,’ his son said.

Mr. McGary belonged to several Masonic groups and the Liberty Center United Methodist Church.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Lucille; son, Roy D. ‘Butch’ McGary, Jr.; daughters, Colleen Martinez, Claudia Funkhouser, and Catherine Gentry; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, and eight step-great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Liberty Center United Methodist Church. After 3 p.m. today, the body will be in Wright Funeral Home, Liberty Center, where a Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. The family requests tributes to the church or to the Liberty Center fire and rescue squad.