Gary G. Lutz

Gary G. Lutz, 76, of North Fort Myers, Fla., died July 19 at Health Park Hospital from complications from a heart valve replacement surgery. He was surrounded by loved ones.

Born Dec. 2, 1940, in Butler, he was the son of the late Charles Lutz and Velma R. (McIntosh) Lutz.

Gary now joins his beloved wife of 42 years, Diane (Carberry) Lutz who passed away in 2016.

Gary graduated from Youngstown University and went on to achieve a masters in business administration from Syracuse University, where he was inducted as a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma National Honorary Society.

Gary was a career federal servant with 30 years experience in auditing and resource management that culminated in him becoming the director of resource management for the Troop Support Agency, the U.S. Army's commissary agency, in 1989. He received the Superior Service Award, Lieutenant General Hicks Campbell Award and was the president of the American Society of Military Comptrollers from Southside Va.

Prior to that, he served as an analyst officer, budget officer and chief of internal review with the U.S. Army Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command and U.S. Army Research and Development Center, Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, N.J. He also served two terms as an instructor at the U.S. Army Audit Agency Auditor School, Washington, D.C.

Gary retired from the federal government in 1999. Shortly after his retirement, he and his beloved wife Diane traveled throughout Europe and North America, spending several years RVing before settling at Del Tura Country Club in North Fort Myers. Gary enjoyed boating, fishing, golf and spending time with friends and family.

Gary is survived by two sons, John F. Lutz and Steven L. Patchen III, both of Colonial Heights, Va.; a brother, Ronald E. Lutz of Prospect; and two sisters, Mrs. Sandra L. (Ronald I.) West and Mrs. Delores Hilgar, both of Butler.

Gary has two nieces, Amy West of Butler and Jennifer (Larry) Garven of Pleasant Gap, Pa.; and three nephews, Jason (Sonja) West of Butler, Ronnie II (Teri) of Mount Horeb, Wis., and David Lutz of Charlotte, N.C.

Gary was preceded in death by his wife and parents.

Say not in grief: “He is no more” but live in thankfulness that he was.