Gary Edward Wasson, 77, of Fort Wayne, passed away Saturday July 27, 2024, in Fort Wayne. He was born December 21,1946, in Louisville, KY, the son of the late Myron and Betty (Brewer) Wasson. Gary grew up in Muncie, was an awarded Eagle Scout and graduated from Muncie Southside High School in 1964. He received his bachelor's degree in urban planning from Ball State University State University in 1968. He joined the Peace Corps and served in Venezuela 1969-1971. Upon returning from the Peace Corps, he was drafted into the US Army working in the Allied Headquarters, West Berlin, Germany. After his discharge, he spent the next 3 months traveling Europe. He married Kay Inez Shivley August 10, 1974. He then received his master's degree from Ball State in Public Administration in 1975. His first job was as the Parks Director of the City of Butler, Indiana. Gary and Kay moved to Fort Wayne in 1975 where he worked for the Allen County Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission 1977-1984 and the Executive Director 1979-1984. Several of his projects included Original Alley Mall, the Botanical Conservatory, Calhoun Street Conversion, Summit Square Parking Garage and the Grand Wayne Center. He served as Operations Manager for the Grand Wayne Center 1984 -2011. In 2020, he was awarded the Circle of Corydon by Governor Holcomb. Gary served on several boards and commissions including ARCH, Foster Park, Neighborhood Assoc, Downtown Parking Commission, Fort Wayne Park and Rec., Headwaters Park Commission, Fort Wayne Plan Commission, Historic Embassy Theatre, Three Rivers Ambulance Authority and PBS. He attended St. John The Baptist Catholic Parish Fort Wayne. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Kay Wasson; daughters Kara (Mike) Kelley; sons Tyler (Melissa) and Joseph (Kara) Wasson; sister Donna Arbogast; grandchildren Madelyn, Chloe, Lucy and Theodore Wasson. Funeral services 1:00pm Monday August 5, 2024, at Divine mercy Funeral Home 3500 Lake Ave Fort Wayne with visitation from 10:00am to 12:45pm with family remarks at 12:45pm. Burial at Greenlawn Cemetery with US Army Honors. Gary will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Donations

Memorial donations can be made in Gary's memory to St. The John Baptist Catholic Church Fort Wayne, the Historic Embassy Theater, and the Fort Wayne Parks Department.