Gary Batey

January 30, 1946 - March 27, 2023
Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1946, Gary later moved with his family to Dayton, Ohio. While attending Colonel White High School, he met his best friend and future wife, Karen Gebhardt. Gary graduated from Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio in 1968; from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio in 1971; and received Clinical Pastoral Care training at Kettering Medical Center through 1985. An active minister of the United Methodist Church for 44 years, he served Ohio churches in Dayton, Middletown, Findlay, Franklin, Cincinnati, and Enon, and as a hospital chaplain at Grandview Hospital in Dayton. He retired in 2014 from his last appointment, serving as senior pastor of Roser Memorial Community Church on Anna Maria Island in Florida. Those who knew Gary remember him as a man of integrity, dedicated, inspiring, and loving, who had the ability to listen and to share his wisdom and his humor.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents John W. Jr. and Frances E. Batey; and by his siblings John W. Batey III, Truman L. Batey, and Kristine F. Batey. He is survived by Karen, his wife of 56 years; daughters and their husbands Diane and Matthew Magness, and Melanie and Brian Parent; grandchildren Carter Parent, Adria Parent, and Soren Magness; sisters Melinda (Richard) Stan, and Janet Filer; brother-in-law Richard (Barbara) Gebhardt; sister-in-law Marcia Gebhardt; and nieces and nephews. Being a loving Dad and Grandpa was the favorite part of his life.