Gary & Louise

Gary and Louise both proved to be fighters from a young age. Gary was born premature and spent most of his first year in the hospital where he was diagnosed with osteomyelitis and underdeveloped lungs. Louise lost her father when she was just 10 to heart issues. In 2023 she would face her own when she suffered a massive heart attack; the hospital said when she arrived, she was less than an hour away from death!

They met on a blind date when he was 21 and she was 18 and have been married for 54 years! Gary graduated from Rice University with a degree in Underwater Studies, was a professional jockey in California, worked for a scuba diving shop, was a Trouble Shooter for Home Depot and has 3 patents for ceiling systems he created…he is truly a man of many talents. Gary was asked to be the underwater cinematographer for the movie “Treasure Seekers” with Rod Taylor; unfortunately, 10 days before filming, he was in a horrible car accident that left him with 11 broken bones. But, God worked His magic and the cinematographer that replaced Gary did such a terrible job that when Gary recovered, they called on him again to do the work!

Gary and Louise lost their house in California when Louise was 8 months pregnant with their first child so they decided to move to the San Antonio area since they had family in the area. Together they have 6 boys, though sadly lost one in 2017.

Together they found the Hope Center back when Janette Johnson ran the facility and have been blessed by it ever since. Gary raised his hands in joy when I asked what he thought of the Hope Center. He commented that it is such a blessing to so many people and that here he has met the nicest people. He and Louise enjoy the friendliness and the caring that is expressed by those serving there.

We are just as blessed by them…Gary and Louise are such a joy to be around and have such big hearts. They are regulars at our Nights of Hope and attend many of our educational classes hosted by Texas AgriLife and they bring so much life and energy to every event they attend!