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Joe “Gary” Story, 75, of Wilmore, Kentucky passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024. Gary was known for his engaging personality, caring demeanor, and wonderful sense of humor. He loved to strike up conversations with friends and strangers alike. His interest in the lives of others drew people to him. Gary was born November 10, 1948, in Hereford, Texas to Joseph “Joe” Gardiner and Maude Elizabeth (Noland) Story. Gary graduated from West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas where he met his wife, Carol Wright. The two wed on August 14, 1971, in Perryton, Texas. Gary worked in banking in Houston and Canadian, Texas until he felt called to full-time Christian ministry. Gary and his family moved to Wilmore in 1988 where he attended Asbury Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity. Upon graduation in 1992, Gary started his second career as a chaplain at Heritage Hospice in Danville, Kentucky. After 20 years of service, he retired from full-time chaplaincy and began serving as part-time chaplain at Wesley Village, a retirement community in Wilmore. In 2017 he received the Outstanding Service Award in Spiritual Care from LeadingAge Kentucky, an association representing non-profit healthcare facilities for the elderly. Gary will be missed dearly by his many friends, coworkers, and family. Gary is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol; his daughter, Penny, and son-in-law, Matt Pohlmann, of Atlanta, Georgia; his daughter, Patty, son-in-law, Dwight Baxter, granddaughter, Geneva, and grandson, Xavier, of Rogers, Arkansas; his sister, Sandra, and brother-in-law, Roland Saul, of Hereford, Texas; his sister, Jan Metcalf, of Brackettville, Texas; his brother-in-law, Roy Mustian, of Graham, Texas; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Maude Story, stepmother, Bessie Story, sister, Nancy Mustian, sister and brother-in-law, Joy and Dan McDowell, brother-in-law, Stan Metcalf, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Karen Wright. A visitation will be held from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1 and a memorial service will be held on Friday, August 2 at 3:00 p.m., both at Wesley Village Community Center. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his memory to Wesley Village, 1125 Lexington Road, Wilmore, KY 40390.