Funeral for Gary Lee Utz, 67, of Gadsden, will be held at Rainbow Presbyterian Church Sunday at 5 p.m. Rev. Larry Fuhrman will officiate. Collier-Butler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Utz was a native of West Alexandria, Ohio, and a 1965 graduate of Twin Valley South High School.  He was an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan. He attended Ohio Northern University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree and later earned a Master in Business Administration at Auburn University-Montgomery. He has been employed at UAB, Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago and taught at Westbrook Christian School. He also served as tennis coach at Westbrook for six years. He was "coach" to his wife and friends as they were preparing to enter a charity tennis tournament several years ago. He was a patient coach, his help was much appreciated and we had a wonderful time being coached.
Gary enjoyed playing tennis with his tennis buddies on most Saturdays.
He was a member of Rainbow Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Byron and LaDonna Utz.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah Gay Utz; his son, Sean Utz, Roswell, Ga.; daughter, Kimberly (Brett) Hickox, Roswell, Ga.; grandsons, Cole And Jake Hickox; sister, Teresa (Jerry) Winkler, Eaton, Ohio; brothers, Mike (Donna) Utz, Brookville, Ohio, and Donald Utz, West Alexandria, Ohio., nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Alacare Hospice, especially Lori, Crystal, Kelly and Fred, who provided compassionate and excellent care in this journey. The family is grateful for the exceptional and loving care given by his caregiver, Karen.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in Gary's memory to Rainbow Presbyterian Church.
Visitation will be held prior to the service at Rainbow Presbyterian Church from 3 to 5.
Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com. Gary's daughter asks that if anyone has special memories of Gary to share please send them to her email address,
kimberlyhickox@fico.com. -