Gary Edward LeGrow's Obituary
Gary Edward LeGrow, aged 86, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2024. Gary was born on March 9th, 1938, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Living in England at the time, Gary was vetted by the US embassy in London, and immigrated to Michigan in 1965. He went on to become a US citizen in 1975, and eventually held dual citizenships in the US and Canada.
In 1963 Gary married Lynda and celebrated a 61st anniversary this year.
Gary graduated with a PHD from the University of Toronto, majoring in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. He completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Sussex, England, and conducted research for the British Ministry of Aviation.
In 1965 Gary joined Dow Corning Chemical Corporation, headquartered in Midland Michigan, where he was a research scientist in the Organic Silicon Chemistry Industry, and retired from there after 30 years. During this time, he transferred to the Kentucky plant inventing the “Direct Process” resulting in a dramatic decrease in production costs for the company. He then traveled to Dow Corning production plants around the world, teaching the process. In 1995 he relocated to Gainesville, Fl and went to work for Peninsular Chemical Research as their Chief Scientist. At the same time, he was a consultant for Clear Chemical Corp, Grand rapids, MI. By then he was on the forefront of inventing new cosmetics chemicals and anti-aging products for top brands such as Este Lauder and Loreal. During his career he was awarded over 100 patents.
Despite his rigorous schooling and work schedules, throughout his life Gary had many hobbies and interests including, Boy Scouts (Queen Scout), Coaching Little League Baseball, Snow skiing, Astronomy, woodworking, Ham radio enthusiast (volunteering for emergency services), GEO Cashing, President of the Michigan Curling Club, Stamp collecting and selling, James Bond fan (books and movies), Restoring old vehicles including his award winning 1969 E-Type Jaguar and 1975 XJ6 Jaguar which he worked on with his son. He and Lynda enjoyed medieval and renaissance era British Monumental Brasses, and rubbed over 100 burial tombs in England, holding exhibits of their work in the states.
Gary’s achievements included:
100 Patens in the Organic Silicon Industry
President of the American Chemical Society chapter in Midland Mi.
He had Top Secret civilian military clearance while working on Naval and Airforce contracts with Dow Corning
25 years with the AARP Smart Driver Course. As the State of Florida Coordinator, he oversaw 400 volunteers, and personally instructed over 100 classes. He was also the President of the AARP Gainesville, FL Chapter.
President of his homeowner’s association.
His travels took him to 55 countries, 5 continents, and every state in the US.
Gary is survived by his wife Lynda, his son Michael (Therese) LeGrow, grandson Ted Sheets, granddaughter Jessica (Dakota) Randolf, and great granddaughter Oaklee Randolf.
Preceding Gary in death were, his parents Ken and Edna LeGrow, son Stephen LeGrow, and daughter Lisa Sheets.
A service to honor Gary’s life will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 4:00 pm in the chapel of Williams-Thomas Westarea 823 N.W. 143rd St Newberry, Fl. with a reception to follow.
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