Gary Mikel Zickefoose, 71 of Bridgeport, W.Va. died Friday, February 5, 2021, at the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport.
He was born September 16, 1949 in Buckhannon, W.Va., a son of the late Marble L. Zickefoose and Marguerite Hodges Zickefoose.
On December 30, 1972, he married Jeanne Ellis who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Greg Zickefoose and wife Maggie of Washington, DC and Brian Zickefoose and wife Kimberly of Lancaster, Pa.; two grandsons, Maxwell Zickefoose of DC and Barett Zickefoose of Lancaster; two granddaughters, Brianna and Meara Zickefoose both of Lancaster; three sisters-in-law, Lois Zickefoose of Brentwood, Calif., Dotty Zickefoose of Pinellas Park, Fla. and Cheri Green of Buckhannon, W.Va.; one brother-in-law, Franklin J. Ellis and wife Traci of Buckhannon; four nephews, David Zickefoose and wife Lisa of Clearwater, Fla., Clint Green and wife Aimee of Lithia, Fla., Jon Green and wife Holly and Frankie Ellis all of Buckhannon; six nieces, Michelle Sharp and husband Phillip of Brentwood, Calif., Deborah Maisterrena and husband Juan of Oakley, Calif., Jan Kapustin and husband Vlad of Dublin, Ohio, Mindi McGrew and husband Jason of Hurricane, W.Va., Shelli Lantz and husband Eric and Olivia Ellis all of Buckhannon and a very special aunt, Mary Lou Zickefoose of Winchester, Va.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Neil and Gail Zickefoose.
Gary Zickefoose graduated from Buckhannon-Upshur High School, class of 1967 and played line-backer and guard for the 1966 Triple AAA Championship Team. He earned a football scholarship to North Carolina State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
Gary graduated from N.C. State and the R.O.T.C program in 1971, where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Gary served over 25 years in the US Army Reserves in various roles to include Commander of the 459th Engineering Company, West Point Liaison Officer, Army Corps of Engineers officer, and two oversees deployments in Afghanistan where he was the engineering subject matter expert coordinating with USAID to facilitate sustainable water and wastewater treatment facilities throughout the Area of Operation (AOR).
Early in his professional career he worked as a project engineer with multiple firms to include Mylan Engineering, Horner Brother’s, and Koontz and Lacy. Gary’s passion was as an educator and committed scholar during his 36-year professor tenure at the Fairmont State University Civil Engineering & Technology Department.
His professional and Military achievements include the following: B.S. Civil Engineering & M.S. Civil Engineering from N.C State, M.B.A from West Virginia University, Professional Engineering Licensure, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (3 Stars), Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal (3rd Award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
Gary was a member of the Bridgeport United Methodist Church, the American Society of Civil Engineers and President of the Bridgeport Lion’s Club.
He loved nature and spending time in the beautiful mountains of WV. Gary truly enjoyed skiing at Canaan Valley and camping and hiking at Dolly Sods with his sons. He loved his family and grandchildren dearly and was a great husband, father and ‘Poppy.’ He will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a veteran’s service organization of your choice or St. Jude’s.
A private service for the family will be held with the Rev. Steven Meadows officiating. Burial will follow in the Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon. The Upshur County Honor Guard will conduct Military Honors at the gravesite.
Friends are invited to watch the service on his tribute page at www.polingstclair.com.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
