Gary E. Moffett

Gary Eugene Moffett, 87, of Salem, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2024. He was born July 14, 1936, in Ashland, Ohio, son of the late Russell E. and Helen (Conrad) Moffett.

A proud 1954 graduate of Salem High School, Gary went on to attend Kent State University while also working at the family business, Moffett’s Mens Wear. He served in the U.S. Army Salem Ready Reserve Unit as the motor pool battalion senior Non-Commissioned Officer.

Gary lived a life that exemplified the values of familial devotion, hard work, and community service. Gary and his wife, Wilma were life-partners who enjoyed family vacations with their children and grandchildren as well as working together in their several business ventures in Salem - Moffett’s Mens Wear, The Shoe Tree, and Meg’s Little Shoppe - with the desire to keep downtown Salem vibrant.

He enjoyed a plethora of friendships with those who shopped at Moffett’s Mens Wear, a 50-plus-year family-owned business in downtown Salem. Gary enjoyed mentoring high school and college students, sharing the importance of customer service, and demonstrating how to treat people experiencing special occasions in their lives - proms, job interviews, weddings, and funerals. It brought him great joy that many young adults employed at Moffett’s later went on to lead a variety of successful careers to include a Methodist minister, school superintendent, military officer, professional musician, FBI agent, and the LPGA Commissioner.

As a community servant and in his business, Gary used as a guidepost, “It is not what you can do, it is what you should do.” He always felt fortunate to be able to share his enthusiasm and ability to work with others for the betterment of Salem.

Gary took pride in his numerous community activities and boards which included American Red Cross - Northern Columbiana County Chapter Chairman, Camp Fire Girls Council, Canfield AARP, Downtown Retail Merchants President, First Night Salem, Jaycees, Kent State Salem Campus Business Management Advisory Board, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Salem Area Girls Corporation, Salem Area Industrial Commission, Salem Community Improvement Project Committee, Salem Historical Society Citizen of Honor Selection Committee, Salem Jubilee Committee and Parade Chairman, Salem Renaissance Downtown Board, Salem Urban Redevelopment Commission, United Fund, and United Commercial Travelers.

Gary served on the Salem Civil Service Commission from 1984 to 2021 as Chairman and Secretary. He was also a Salem Community Foundation board member from 1989 to 2023, serving as Treasurer from 2005 to 2023.

He was a devoted 64-year member of the First Christian Church and a proud life member of both the Salem Elks Lodge #305 and Salem Historical Society. Gary was recognized as the Salem Historical Society’s Citizen of Honor in 2023 and Salem’s Small Businessperson of the Year in 2000.

After Gary’s retirement from Moffett’s Mens Wear in October 2003, he joined the team at Stark Memorial Funeral Home and continued to serve Salem’s families.

Gary is survived by his wife, Wilma Jean Lee Moffett, who he married September 21, 1959. They were blessed with three children and spouses, Melissa (Timothy) Costa of Salem, Marcilee Crowell of Salem, and Greg (Jessica) Moffett of Watkinsville, Georgia; five grandchildren, Ryan (Jayme) Crowell, Lauren (Greg) MacAfee, Nicholas (Colleen) Costa, Hailey Moffett, and Hannah Moffett; and three great grandchildren Fynlee Crowell, Adler Crowell, and Daphne Costa. 

Along with his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Barry Crowell.

A memorial service will be at Stark Memorial Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Friends may call beginning at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service. Gary will be laid to rest at Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Salem Community Foundation, PO Box 553, Salem, Ohio 44460 or Salem High School Alumni Association, 330 East State St, Salem, Ohio 44460.

The family requests no flowers due to allergies.

Arrangements are being handled by the Stark Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

To view Gary’s obituary and send condolences, visit www.starkmemorial.com.

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