J. Gary Maynard, Jr. ’58

J. Gary Maynard, Jr. ’58, 76, died May 8, 2012, surrounded by his loving family after suffering a stroke. Battling multiple illnesses, he persevered through years of trials, but remarkably, the last few weeks of his life were filled with more vim and vigor than he had known in a while. The day of his stroke, he woke early, shared a cup of coffee with his beloved wife, Sally, and watched the sunrise over the Rappahannock River. Later he tended his garden, and shortly thereafter, collapsed. He was flown by helicopter to MCV (he would have loved that a helicopter landed in the field next to the “River House”). He did not suffer; but his life was more than his most recent health struggles. His life was a testimony to faith, professionalism, zeal, good humor, hard work, and family fun. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Gary and Grace Lee Maynard, of Cheraw, S.C., and his sister, Barbara Maynard Bryant. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Sally Mason Maynard, 1500 Westbrook Ct., Richmond, VA 23227, and their children and families: his daughter, Sara Sommers (Jeff) and children, Sally, Samuel, and Polly; his daughter, Catherine Armstrong (Jeff) and children, Thomas, Will, Owen, and Grace; his son, John Gary Maynard III ’90 (Cindy) and children, Jake, Avery, and Pierce; and his son, Mason Maynard (Kristina) and children, Ansley, Mason, and Leighton. Additionally, he is survived by his brother-in-law, Dr. J. Lorin Mason (Bebe), and numerous nieces and nephews. Born April 14, 1936, and raised in the small town of Cheraw, S.C., he was a man of humble roots, whose parents instilled a strong faith, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence. He graduated from Davidson 1958, MCV School of Dentistry in 1962, and the University of Kentucky graduate program in periodontics in 1967. He practiced periodontics for 40 years. During these years Maynard also taught at the VCU-MCV perio-graduate program, contributed to textbooks, and lectured throughout the U.S. and world. He received numerous awards and recognitions including president of the Richmond Dental Society, founder and president of Virginia Society of Periodontics, president of the Southern Academy of Periodontology, president of the American Academy of Periodontology, Master Clinician Award from the American Academy of Periodontology, and MCV-VCU Outstanding Alumni of the Year. Just this April, the VCU School of Dentistry named the Graduate Perio Clinic in honor of Maynard and his colleague, Dr. Richard Wilson. This was the culmination of a career dedicated to service, research, and teaching. Additionally, he contributed to the community as he served as Collegiate School Trustee Board member, deacon and elder to River Road Presbyterian Church, West End Rotarian, Westminster Canterbury Board member, Presbyterian School of Christian Education Board member, and a founding member of the International Hospital for Children, now known as the World Pediatric Project. Of all of his honors, none was greater than the love and respect of his family, office staff, patients, colleagues, and students. While his career as a periodontist reaped accolades, those successes paled in comparison to his achievement as a son, husband, father, and friend. He showed us how to live with humor, grace, dignity, fortitude, and perseverance.