AKRON - Gary R. Tuttle, 59, of Akron, and formerly of Chester, died at his home on Sept. 21, 2009, after becoming suddenly ill.
A son of the late Ray and Ethel McGaffic Tuttle, he was born in East Liverpool on Dec. 3, 1949.
A Free Methodist by faith, Gary worked in inventory control for Giant Eagle super markets. Earlier he had been employed at the Homer Laughlin China Co.
He attended Chester Schools as well as Oak Glen High School.
An accomplished musician, Gary began playing at the age of 12. Rock and Roll was his first foray into the music world having played in such local favorites as King Tut and the Royal Subjects during the early 60's at East Liverpool hot spots, Lake Marwin and the Youth Harbor. He soon found a love for country music and was an integral part of bands like Nashville Bound, Masters of the Honkytonk and Hot Cargo. While leading Nashville Bound, he released eight recordings and in 1987 won the Marlboro Country Music Roundup where they played on the same bill with George Strait, Alabama, and The Judd's in front of a sold out crowd. He had opened for such formidable acts as Reba, Robbie McDowell, and his favorite, Conway Twitty.
An avid baseball fan he loved watching the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Browns.
He leaves behind his deeply adored dog Samantha, as well as a daughter, Tonya Link and her children, Tanner, Marissa, and Logan Link of Burgettstown, Pa.; one son John Tuttle of Akron; and one sister Carole Smith and her husband Denny of East Liverpool.
The Rev. Norm Eckert of the Beechwood Free Methodist church will conduct services on Saturday at noon at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester where the family will be present to receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of the services. Interment will follow at the Locust Hill Cemetery in Chester. In addition a memorial service will be held on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Akron Fraternal order of Orioles in Akron, Ohio.
E-mails of condolence may be sent to arnerfc@arnerfuneralchapel.com
