Gary L Northup

Gary Lee Northup, 81 of Grove City, OH passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.  He was born on October 8, 1942 to the late Carl Paul and Madgeline Audrey (Elliott) Northup in Gallipolis, OH.  Gary was a 1960 graduate of Gallia Academy and attended Univ. of Rio Grande.  He started his own businesses K & K Mobile Homes and Scioto Estates in South Bloomfield, retiring after 55 years.  He was very thankful for all his employees throughout the years. Gary enjoyed the challenge of putting a business deal together, a good meal, his family and great friends.

Gary is survived by daughters Kimberly (Mark) Groves of Grove City and Kathy (Mark) Wood of Nashville; grandchildren Matthew (Kim) Groves, Adam (Sarah) Groves, Spencer (Jennifer) Groves and Ezra Lee Wood;  great grandchildren Emma, Madelyn, Liam, Sophia, Josephine and Olivia Groves; and many special friends.

Visitation with family will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, December 28th at Oliver-Cheek Funeral Home, 420 W. Main St. Ashville, OH 43103 with a Funeral Service at 6:00 p.m. with Steve Dyas officiating. A Graveside Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 29th at Mound Hill Cemetery, Gallipolis, OH with Dr. Donald DeCoy officiating.  The family’s wishes in lieu of flowers, are that donations may be made Grove City Christian School (details below) .

Online condolences at olivercheekfuneralhome.com

Donations can be made to Grove City Christian School by way of one of the methods below:

- Online

- Checks made payable to “GCCS” (with no other specific memo required) and mailed to the following address: Grove City Christian School Attn: Finance Department 4750 Hoover Road Grove City, OH 43123

Gary Lee Northup, age 81, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. Gary was born to Paul and Madge Northup in Gallipolis, OH on October 8, 1942. He was deeply loved by his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Northup; two children: Kimberly (Mark) Groves and Kathy (Mark) Wood; grandsons: Matthew (Kim) Groves, Adam (Sarah) Groves, Spencer (Jenn) Groves, and Ezra Wood; and great grandchildren: Emma, Madelyn, Liam, Sophia, Josephine, and Olivia Groves.

Known to his friends and family as a “generator and expediter", he began an extensive entrepreneurial career at the age of 6 selling watermelons and cantaloupes out of his red Radio Flyer wagon. Through the years he continued learning the value of hard work by tending the family farm, where his love of horses began.

After graduating from Gallia Academy High School and attending Rio Grande College and Columbus Business School, Gary showed us all that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. He loved the art of the deal, but his true love was his family.

In 1960, Gary met Carolyn while working at the Shake Shoppe in Gallipolis. He fondly shared how he remembered her being a “picture of sunshine” the moment she walked through the door. He was instantly smitten, and from that moment on was determined to marry her. Gary and Carolyn married in 1963, and soon welcomed their daughters, Kimberly (1964) and Kathy (1965).

Gary was a force of nature with his larger-than-life attitude and brilliant mind; his proven background relocated the young family to Grove City, OH in 1972 where Gary coordinated the planning, capitalization, development, and operation of more than 20 businesses throughout the next many years of his career.

His ambition, drive, and endurance are attributes that will always be an inspiration to the people closest to him. The legacy Gary left is a gift one would be lucky to receive. He will be greatly missed.