I was able to meet Gary a number of times. He started his career as a child model with the "Wendy Wards" modeling at Montgomery Wards (where I workes as a high school kid) in Waukegan Illinois. He and his folks lived in nearby Zion, IL. Even after he was a local celebrity, doing TV commercials for a Chicago bank, he would still come int to visit friends at the store. His folks were always nice but wouldn't let his childhood celibrity spoil him.
I worked in the Toys/Lawn & Garden department. He would come in with his folks and since he was a BIG HO scale train enthusiast, he always perused the train aisle and looked for something new. His folks would let him buy ONE and ONE new train car or set of track each visit and no more. I ran the cash register for many times he came in for train cars.
His life certainly took a turn for the worse and his health was always an issue--even when he was a kid. He also had bad legal issues and I was saddened to read of mis-deads....I was hoping he would straighten things out and live a long life.
His life was far too short.
Thoughts & prayers to his family & friends.
ROX
