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Pastor Gary Stoots overcame death and entered into Glory; meeting Jesus face to face on Monday, Dec. 16, at 2:40 a.m. at his home in Prospect with his family around him. Pastor Stoots was born on June 21, 1948 to Robert and Kathleen Stoots in Richlands. He was born again into God’s Kingdom at the age of 14 and served the Lord faithfully until God called him home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Kathleen Stoots, a sister, Wanda and a brother, Clarence.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Diana Hagy Stoots; a daughter, Jennifer Stoots Gunter (Garland) all of Prospect; a son, Gary Lee Stoots II (Wife, Cindie) of Charlotte Court House; a brother, Christopher Stoots (Wife, Melissa) of Daleville; a brother, Michael Stoots (Wife, Rhonda) of Roanoke; a sister, Jennifer Stoots Stone (Husband, Danny) of Perry, Georgia; four grandchildren: Lee Garris, Brooke Moore (Husband, Eli), Blake Stoots, Dustin Gunter; three step grandchildren: Brandy Morgan (Husband, Travis), Joshua Gunter (Wife, Alexis) and Blake Gunter; three great grandchildren: Kayden, Emma, and Ava and six step grandchildren: Jaycie, Cheyanne, Blakely, Berkeley, Camden, and Brantley.

Gary Stoots started his journey with Jesus as a young boy of 14 when he gave his heart and life to Jesus. At 15, he started traveling with Evangelist Paul Adams, against his mother’s wishes. She thought he would outgrow this phase of serving the Lord. She later realized it was not a whim, was very proud of him and supported his choice to serve God as an evangelist. He was able to bless Brother Adams through opening each service with joy and enthusiasm. He and Diana traveled with him for several years until he felt led by the Lord to fulfill his own calling to preach the gospel. As an evangelist, he and Diana traveled many miles for the Lord, in Mississippi, Alabama, and numerous other states. By God’s design, he found himself in a little church in Cumberland, where he met Gordon and Peggy Emert. They became lifelong friends. After many trips visiting them, he prayed about starting a ministry in Prospect. In October 1973, he founded Prospect Gospel Tabernacle. Gary married Diana Hagy in August 1966 and for 58 years they have worked together, played together, studied together, cried together and traveled together. Together, they have been in all 50 states, preached in England and Mexico, visited Wales, France and Canada. He traveled alone to preach in Jamaica early in his ministry.

Gary was very serious in his work for the Lord. He and Diana opened Prospect Christian Academy in 1979. In preparation to become an educator, he entered college at Southside Virginia Community College earning his Associate’s Degree in 1978. He continued his education at Longwood College with a double major in History and Social Science earning a Master of Science Degree in 1985. He then attended the University of Virginia, where he earned an Education Specialist Degree in 1988. He was both a teacher and the principal of Prospect Christian Academy from 1979 until 2020. Some of his accomplishments were: Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior College for 1979-80; Teacher of the Year Award for 2013 by post 7059; VFW Inducted into Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society for 1982 Award of Merit; featured in the 1979-80 National Dean’s List and Completed the A.C.E. School of Tomorrow Administrators’ Training Course.

For 30 years Pastor Stoots worked as the Virginia Regional Convention Coordinator for the Virginia’s Student Conventions and worked as a Dorm Dean, along with his wife, at the International Student Conventions. He was an Assistant Field Service Rep. for ACE School of Tomorrow with Mr. Joe Johnson in a region that spanned five states. In the community of Prospect, Pastor Stoots worked with all of the churches and was a leader in many community endeavors. He was a pillar in the community. He often was seen at Southside Community Hospital and Holly Manor Nursing Home praying for and encouraging the patients. He worked as a mentor for Crossroads Community Services Board providing a Godly role model for the youth in the community.

He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all that knew him throughout his life. Pastor Stoots was a man of integrity, a cheerful giver, a leader, a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a pastor, a friend, a counselor, a runner, a son of the Most High God. His works will follow him in the lives of so many who know the Lord, because He chose to serve. As Paul said in II Timothy 4:7-8, Gary has fought a good fight, he has finished his course, he has kept the faith, and now he has received a crown of righteousness. His run is over. Journey completed. Pastor Gary would say ,’”Meet me there, Jesus is the only way.”

Puckett Funeral Home will be serving the family. Family night will be Friday, Dec. 20, at Prospect Gospel Tabernacle from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be at Prospect Gospel Tabernacle on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 12 p.m. Interment will be at Prospect Gospel Tabernacle Cemetery following service at the church.