It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Gary Mead of Englewood, FL on October 27, 2024, at the age of 80. Gary was born in Ft. Smith, AR and grew up in North Carolina and New Jersey, worked as a lifeguard and graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he attended on a track scholarship, 400M hurdles was his specialty, and a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. After graduation, Gary entered the Army and served in Vietnam as a member of the Special Forces, Green Beret and Airborne. Numerous “reel to reel” movies, photos, and the occasional shared story of “shenanigans” while serving his country: water skiing on the Mekong River, leading and training Cambodian troops, trading steaks for lobsters with the naval officers, and photo opportunities with celebrities. He was Honorably discharged as a decorated Captain. When not working as a contractor, Gary enjoyed golf (he had a hole in one!), reading, watching UNC basketball, and travel. 

Family memories include his love for homemade chocolate chip cookies, chocolate upside down cake and all things sweet, a good steak, going to NY Yankee games, attending his daughters’ sporting/extracurricular events, traveling internationally, stateside, amazing cruises, swimming, and enjoying live music at local waterfront venues. An avid reader, he enjoyed mysteries and political thrillers, and always the WSJ. His grandchildren remember fondly “Camp Grandma & Grandpa”, diving and golf lessons, fishing, and marathon games of Uno. 

He is survived by wife Eileen (Lee) Palmer Mead, Englewood; daughters Melissa (Misty) Mead Hinson (R. Michael) of High Springs, FL; Mandy Mead Fenno (Phil) of Englewood; sister Marilyn (Susie) von Hovell (Jurgen) of Addison, TX; grandchildren Zachary Palmer Hinson of High Springs, FL and Heidi E. Hinson of Pensacola, FL; and 3 nieces, Stephanie Louise Cullum, Brielle Friedman, and Danielle Palmer-Friedman. He was preceded in death by his parents Byron L. Mead and Alice Bennett Mead, and brother Byron Lee Mead. 

The family will receive family and friends for a Celebration of Life on December 8th at 11am at The Waverly, Englewood, FL. A private burial at Sarasota National Cemetery for immediate family to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations in memory of Gary to Carolina Scholarship Fund or Tidewell Foundation (hospice) using the links below: https://give.unc.edu/gift/mead 

www.tidewellfoundation.org/donate