He was born April 15, 1956, in Elkhart to Otis C. Gary and Ozella Billops. He was engaged to Mirhonda Hill of Atlanta.

She survives along with one daughter, Taharia Sanders of Indianapolis; one son, Jermaine Sanders of Elkhart; four grandchildren; his mother of Elkhart; his father and stepmother, Brenda Gary of South Bend; one sister, Connie Wills of Elkhart; three brothers, Michael (Shirley) Bennett of Evansville and Robert and Douglas Gary, both of South Bend; and two caregivers, Claudette Ali and Randy Boher.

Friends may call one hour prior to Friday's 11 a.m. funeral service at Community Baptist Church of Elkhart on Chapman Street. The Revs. Lefate Owens of Community Baptist and Sam Frison of the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church of Elkhart will officiate. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Gary graduated from Memorial High School in 1975. He worked at Whitehall Laboratories for several years. He attended graphic art schools in Fort Wayne and in Atlanta, where he later moved to pursue a career in graphic design.

He worked as a shipping clerk for UPS until his health required an early retirement and he moved back to Elkhart. Mr. Gary enjoyed helping others and was involved with the Outreach program, assisting people who struggled with substance addictions. He was a mentor and father figure to boys. In his free time he fished, played basketball with the neighborhood kids and spent time with his fiancee and family.

Memorials may be given to the Otis D. Gary Memorial Fund in care of Billings Funeral Home. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.