Gary Lee Adair

Gary Lee Adair, age 70, of Kettering, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2026, surrounded by family. He was born on March 21, 1956, in Springfield, Ohio, to the late Sammie and Oleta Adair. His family later relocated to the Dayton area, where Gary graduated from Belmont High School in 1974. During those years, he formed many friendships that would last a lifetime.

Following high school, Gary, often known as Wally, began a long and dedicated career as a maintenance technician, starting at Woodman Park Apartments. It was there that he met his future wife, Gayle Ptacek, later marrying in 1984. Together they moved to Kettering where Gary and Gayle started their family. In his younger years, he could always be found outside playing sports with his sons in his free time. In 2004, Gary went to work for The University of Dayton, where he was proud to have his children attend. After 18 years of service, having made countless friends over the years, Gary retired from UD in 2023.

In his retirement, Gary's favorite activity was spending time with his beloved grandsons. He cherished every moment spent with Vincent, James, and Dominic. Whether he was playing with them, talking with them, or simply relaxing in his chair with them, Gary was happiest when his grandsons were around. He never missed their sporting events and could always be counted on to be in the stands, proudly cheering them on. He loved all sports and enjoyed cheering for his favorite teams, the Reds, Bengals, and Buckeyes, but above all his favorite games to attend were his grandsons.

Gary found happiness in many of life's simple pleasures. He loved to fish, and Paint Creek was his favorite place to cast a line and enjoy the outdoors. He had a lifelong appreciation for cars, with the Superbird holding a special place in his heart. He loved keeping his cars clean and well maintained, and could often be found cruising around town with Gayle by his side. Gary was also an avid gardener and took great pride in the beautiful flowers he grew.

More than anything, Gary enjoyed simply being home with the people he loved. He could be perfectly content sitting beneath a tree with his dogs, relaxing in the living room with his family, or cooking a delicious meal to share. Gary was known for his strong work ethic, his determination, and his reliability. Gary's strong-willed and friendly spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Sammie and Oleta Adair; his sisters, Janie Cole and Sandy Lester; and his son, Nick Adair.

He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Gayle Adair; his son, Matt (Mary) Adair; his beloved grandsons, Vincent, James, and Dominic Adair; his brother, Roger (Linda) Adair; his sisters, Lisa (Kevin) Ringler and Tina Adair (Tom Edgar); and numerous extended family members and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering, OH 45429. The family will greet friends following the service until 6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hannah's Treasure Chest Donate Now in Gary's memory.