Gary Wayne Ingram

Gary Wayne Ingram, 73, passed away earlier this week at the Cedar Ridge Nursing Home.

He was born on February 20, 1952, to Kenna and Jaunita Waugh Ingram in Charleston, W.V.

A 1970 graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School, he pursued a teaching career after graduating from Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston) in 1974. While teaching, Gary continued his education at Marshall University, earning his Master's Degree.

His areas of expertise were Math and the Sciences with an emphasis on Physics, his favorite subject to teach bright, eager-to-learn young people.

Gary taught in Kanawha County Schools for thirty-six years and took great pride in being named Dean of Math, Science, and Technology at Capital High School when it opened. His grant-writing skills secured over two million dollars for the school system, which he was also very proud of.

Gary was an extremely talented musician, excelling in the guitar from a very early age. Blessed with perfect pitch, he was able to play and sing any song in any key. In junior high school, Gary started his first of many bands, The Rhythmaires, made up of 13 and 14-year-olds who played beyond their years and were so good they played throughout the valley. His bands continued through high school and beyond. Gary's guitar playing entertained so many people that his skill resulted in many solo gigs that showcased his playing. These were the days Gary treasured most and talked about often.

Gary was predeceased by his parents, his brother James Ingram, sister Janet Atkinson, and their spouses.

Gary is survived by his wife, Lou Ann Lanham-Ingram, his son Chad Austin Ingram of California, his daughter Amy Mata of Knoxville, TN, his step-son Jered Lanham and his wife, Amanda of Charleston. Grandchildren: Kaylin and Kadie Mata, Austin, Kenzie, Madison, and Paisley Lanham, Brianna and Jeffrey Guthrie; 2 great grandchildren and nieces, nephews, and their families.

Gary had been hospitalized three times since mid-January, with nursing home stays in between.

During these five months, Gary had twenty-six visitors (he had me write them down so he could thank them personally) when he got better. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, so I would like to thank them for taking the time to visit Gary and put a much-needed smile on his face.

Thank you, Tom and Jill Bumgardner. Tom was Gary's lifelong friend as well as being the drummer in the Rhythmaires band.

Don and Kim Barnard, Trey and Emily Bennett, Janet Layne-Butts, Rick and Dixie Chandler, Katie Mullins-Deal, Pastor Kevin and Nancy Miller, Robert and Sherry Keener, and Nancy Sayre.

His daughter Amy, who was able to visit for a week with him, ex-son-in-law Kervie Mata, who was kind enough to bring his granddaughter Kadie to see him, his favorite niece, Joyce Keough, and her daughter Emma. Lastly, Jered and Amanda, who came every other day bringing him food and ice cream to encourage Gary to eat, and doing all they could for him. Austin came, Kenzie came, and Maddie and Paisley came with their self-made cards and pictures for him that always said, "We love you, Gary."

In keeping with Gary's request of no formal funeral services and no Celebrations of Life, he has been laid to rest near his father and mother at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens.

Elk Funeral & Cremation Service of Charleston was in charge of handling Gary's arrangements.