Gary W. Lemasters, born in Morgantown on May 13, 1948, to the late Katie B. and Marshall Dale Lemasters, died on Monday, May 6, 2024, at the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility in Clarksburg, WV.
Gary worked at WVU Health Sciences Center until his retirement in 2010. Gary was a beautiful tenor singer and enjoyed singing in the church choir for many years, as well as a gospel quartet and later, a gospel trio with his wife and their dear friend, Elaine Jozwick.
Gary leaves behind his loving wife of 51 years, Valerie Kay Panrell Lemasters. His proudest accomplishment was being a father to his son, Jeremy Ryan Lemasters, of Morgantown. Also surviving are his grandson, Luke Ryan Lemasters, and a great-grandson, Tommy Lemasters, of Morgantown; two sisters, Joyce Bliss (Arthur), of Granville, and Patricia Chernok (Donald), of Morgantown; sister-in-law, Denise Panrell; brother-in-law, Guy Panrell (Sandra); special cousins, Ralph “Bud” Flowers (Janice), that share love and fond memories of times with Gary and Kay; his special friends, Elaine and Sonny Jozwick, who are life-long friends with whom he and Kay share many great memories and adventures for over 50 years; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family members and friends who he loved dearly; and last, but certainly not least, his snack buddy and fur companion, Teddy.
In addition to his parents, Dale and Katie Lemasters, Gary was preceded in death by his brother, Marshall V. Lemasters (Mary); mother-in-law and father-in-law, Guy and Grace Panrell; and a brother-in-law, Mark D. Panrell.
The family wishes to thank Cindy Dunn who helped Kay with Gary’s care while he remained at home before admission to the WVVNF. A special thanks to the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility staff that quickly became family and loved and cared for Gary for nearly the past two years.
Family and friends are invited to gather at The River Church, 4234 Dents Run Blvd., Morgantown, WV 26501, from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, and again from 10 a.m. on Friday, May 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service, with Pastor Nathaniel Hudson and the Rev. Dan Bayles officiating. Following the funeral service, interment will take place at Beverly Hills Cemetery with full military honors conferred by Westover VFW #9916 and WVANG Military Honors, Camp Dawson.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Gary’s memory to the WVVNF Resident Benefit Fund, 1 Freedom Way, Clarksburg, WV 26301.
McCulla Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences:
www.mcculla.com
