In Memory Of
Gary Neal Poteat
1953
2022
Gary Neal Poteat
October 17, 1953 — September 12, 2022
Gary Neal Poteat, of Beavercreek, Ohio, aged 68, was born October 17, 1953, in Marion, NC, and passed away peacefully September 12, 2022, at Hospice of Dayton, after a 15 year battle with kidney cancer. He has been surrounded and lifted up by friends and family supporting him throughout.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan Crenshaw Poteat , brother Michael Poteat, daughter Oden Hughes, and grandson Ted Ransome. He was predeceased by his parents George P. Poteat, Jr. and Virgie (Biggerstaff) Poteat and his sister Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Snead.
After high school, Gary joined the Navy where his memory and mathematical talent made him stand out and he was quickly accepted into their nuclear power program. He also was among the few who were selected for the NESEP program which enabled him to attend college on a full Naval scholarship at Auburn University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He later transferred to the Air Force and went on to earn a Master's degree in Radiation Physics and ABR certification in Therapy Medical Physics. Gary retired from the Air Force as a Major.
His attention to detail and ability as a natural teacher of others made him stand out in his work in medical physics.. He continued his work as a medical physicist in radiation oncology at multiple medical facilities throughout his professional career. He also supported his wife in her return to school with him at University of Kentucky to become a medical physicist and they shared much of their professional career even after his cancer diagnosis. Gary enjoyed helping cancer patients and was proud of his contributions as Chief of Physics at WPAFB Cancer Center and Mt. Carmel Healthcare System in Ohio.
Gary loved the outdoors and used his free time gardening, hiking, and photographing flowers. He was talented with woodworking and could fix anything. He was a voracious reader, loved history, current events and was a walking encyclopedia with an inquisitive mind and a love of learning.
After his diagnosis in 2007, Gary advocated with others for much needed kidney cancer research funding and trials. He and Susan were very active in the kidney cancer community and they shared generously with others the knowledge they learned from Gary's experiences. In addition, Gary used his technical and teaching skills as research grant reviewer for the DOD CDMRP program and as mentor for other patients learning advocacy roles to enlarge the pool of patients and caregivers working together toward a cure for kidney cancer. He participated in multiple trials and encouraged other patients to promote progress by their own participation.
Gary was a hard worker, a helper and a teacher in all aspects of his life. He was much loved by family, friends and he inspired patients around the world with his perseverance.
A private Celebration of Life will be held September 24, 2022 in their community in Beavercreek.
A family service will be arranged in East Tennessee in April 2023.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to:
KidneyCan, 8327 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia PA 19118
To share a memory of Gary with the family or to leave a special message, please click on the Share Memories button above.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan Crenshaw Poteat , brother Michael Poteat, daughter Oden Hughes, and grandson Ted Ransome. He was predeceased by his parents George P. Poteat, Jr. and Virgie (Biggerstaff) Poteat and his sister Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Snead.
After high school, Gary joined the Navy where his memory and mathematical talent made him stand out and he was quickly accepted into their nuclear power program. He also was among the few who were selected for the NESEP program which enabled him to attend college on a full Naval scholarship at Auburn University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He later transferred to the Air Force and went on to earn a Master's degree in Radiation Physics and ABR certification in Therapy Medical Physics. Gary retired from the Air Force as a Major.
His attention to detail and ability as a natural teacher of others made him stand out in his work in medical physics.. He continued his work as a medical physicist in radiation oncology at multiple medical facilities throughout his professional career. He also supported his wife in her return to school with him at University of Kentucky to become a medical physicist and they shared much of their professional career even after his cancer diagnosis. Gary enjoyed helping cancer patients and was proud of his contributions as Chief of Physics at WPAFB Cancer Center and Mt. Carmel Healthcare System in Ohio.
Gary loved the outdoors and used his free time gardening, hiking, and photographing flowers. He was talented with woodworking and could fix anything. He was a voracious reader, loved history, current events and was a walking encyclopedia with an inquisitive mind and a love of learning.
After his diagnosis in 2007, Gary advocated with others for much needed kidney cancer research funding and trials. He and Susan were very active in the kidney cancer community and they shared generously with others the knowledge they learned from Gary's experiences. In addition, Gary used his technical and teaching skills as research grant reviewer for the DOD CDMRP program and as mentor for other patients learning advocacy roles to enlarge the pool of patients and caregivers working together toward a cure for kidney cancer. He participated in multiple trials and encouraged other patients to promote progress by their own participation.
Gary was a hard worker, a helper and a teacher in all aspects of his life. He was much loved by family, friends and he inspired patients around the world with his perseverance.
A private Celebration of Life will be held September 24, 2022 in their community in Beavercreek.
A family service will be arranged in East Tennessee in April 2023.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to:
KidneyCan, 8327 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia PA 19118
To share a memory of Gary with the family or to leave a special message, please click on the Share Memories button above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Neal Poteat, please visit our flower store.
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