Gary Lister

Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz’s exhortations that farmers plant “fence row to fence row” and “get big or get out” helped ruin quail hunting and many small family farms in the South. Gary Lister was born to parents made poor by the bad judgment to listen to Butz, the bad luck to be in farming during the extended Central Georgia drought of the early Seventies, and limited career choices in the rural South. It was clear that if he were to become educated, it would have to be by his own hand; he accepted that and got busy.

He graduated from Cochran High School one Friday night in May in 1975 and began work the next Monday morning at the L & H Shirt Factory to earn money for tuition. He put himself through night school at Georgia College & State University by working the day shift, first at the Shirt Factory and then later at Robins Air Force Base. He was determined and persistent, and eventually earned two graduate degrees. His early struggle for education turned him into a life-long learner. He served for several years on the Bleckley County (Georgia) Board of Education, was a strong advocate for public education, and a contributing editor for the American School Board Journal. He authored books on leadership and educational governance, a history of The Methodist Home for Children and Youth of the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, and a project and program management textbook for Pearson Education. He was the crossword puzzle editor for the Wesleyan Christian Advocate for many years and enjoyed notes from his fans (usually little old Methodist ladies).

Born on October 11, 1957, Gary spent his formative years in Roddy, Georgia, in Dodge County. He lived within a mile of both sets of grandparents who were significantly influential in his upbringing and childhood happiness.

In addition to Cochran High School and Georgia College & State University (BBA, MBA), Gary is also a graduate of Southern Polytechnic State University (MSQA). In 1993, he was honored as an outstanding young alumnus of Georgia College & State University. He served as an adjunct faculty member at Macon State University, Central Georgia Technical College, Georgia Military College, and Middle Georgia College, and Middle Georgia State University for many years, teaching accounting, logistics, operations, IT, and management courses.

He retired after a long and productive career with the Department of Defense at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. Disliking retirement, he began an encore with the Georgia Department of Corrections which became a passionate endeavor. He was the chief strategist for offender education and the senior program manager for Career, Technical, and Post-Secondary Education. His efforts helped keep countless communities and citizens safe by returning ex-offenders who were prepared to support themselves and their families without resorting to crime.

Despite many professional successes, Gary found his true calling in fatherhood. He often said having children was “the greatest thing I’ve ever done.” His most enjoyable times were those spent with family and friends; he cherished each of them.