Calhoun City - CALHOUN CITY - Robert Blain Gary, 95, of Calhoun City MS passed from this life on May 25, 2025 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. He was born March 27, 1930 to O.L. and Pearl Gary in Embry MS.

He graduated from Slate Springs High School in 1948 and served with honors in the US Army during the Korean conflict.

He married Mary Elizabeth "Libby" Holland Gary, his childhood sweetheart. and had 2 sons, Dennis and Steve.

Mr. Gary completed his bachelor, masters, and specialist degrees in Education at Mississippi State University and devoted his efforts to providing the best possible education to Mississippi's young people with stops at high schools in Bruce, Biggersville, New Hope, and Lambert before finding his home at West Lauderdale HS in Collinsville from 1969 until his retirement in 1985.

Robert is survived by his wife of 42 years, Nancy Swindoll Gary, of Calhoun City; sons Steve (Angela) of Madison AL, Reuben Swindoll (Dollie) of Water Valley MS, George Swindoll (Allison) of Allegany NY; grandchildren Matthew Blain Gary, Renee Gary Wofford, Ashley Swindoll, Jacob Swindoll, Lauren Hallows, and Emaline Swindoll; 5 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and thousands of former students whose lives he touched.

Mr. Gary enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, and working with young people to encourage them to set their sights high, believe in themselves, help care for others, and help make their community a better place.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife Mary Elizabeth Gary, son Dennis Gary, his parents, and siblings.

Visitation will be held at 10:00-11:00 AM, Friday May 30, 2025 at Pryor Funeral Home in Calhoun City MS. Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM also at Pryor; followed by graveside honors and burial at Bethany Baptist Church cemetery in Slate Springs MS. www.pryorfuneralhome.org offers online condolence messaging.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial donations to Gideons International (www.gideons.org) to further the effort to spread God's word worldwide. Mr. Gary and wife Nancy both served as representatives and speakers to promote this great cause for many years.