Raised in Wichita, Kansas, by his grandmother, Gary graduated from Laney College in Oakland. He worked in the aerospace industry as a tool and die maker and pattern maker until he was injured with a steel pipe. He served in the Army from 1983 to 1986 in air defense artillery. Gary received facilitator training with USA Hearing Voice and peer support specialist training. He moved into housing from most recently living on the streets in April 2020.
