Gary W. Ostrom's Obituary
Gary W. Ostrom, age 73, passed away Friday afternoon, June 10, 2016 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI where he was flown for advanced heart care following outstanding care given at Mercy Hospital, Muskegon. He was born May 4, 1943 in Chicago, IL to William and May (Bertlesen) Ostrom. He grew up in Miami, Florida prior to attending and receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from Stetson University in DeLand, FL. He then attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, where he received his Master’s Degree in Journalism.
Gary served as a 1st Lt with the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1967-1968. During that period, he served 12 months in Vietnam, MACV, Saigon, with Psychological Warfare Operations. He was a Bronze Star recipient.
Gary’s entire professional career was newspaper related. He worked in the Community Relations and Promotion Department of the Miami Herald from 1969-1973. He then moved to the Philadelphia Inquirer as their Circulation Marketing Manager from 1973-1976. In 1976, he moved to Muskegon and became the Marketing Manager and Advertising Director of the Muskegon Chronicle until July of 1988, when he became Publisher, a position he held until his retirement in 2007.
His community service includes serving as a founding board member (1988) of MEGA (Muskegon Economic Growth Alliance); a founding board member (1999) of Muskegon Area FIRST; a founder of West Michigan Student Showcase; he was involved with the founding of the Muskegon Sports Hall of Fame, where he has continued to be active; past board member of the Community Foundation of Muskegon County; former Chairman and board member of Muskegon Economic Forum; past Board Chair and Campaign Chair of the United Way of Muskegon County; past President and board member of Child Abuse Council; former board member of the Muskegon County Museum; twice past Board Chair of the Muskegon Museum of Art ; past Board Chair of the YFCA and Chair of the first Corporate/Community Cup; past board member of Muskegon Summer Celebration; past board member and President of Muskegon Civic Theater; Baker College, trustee, past Board of Regents Chair locally and at State level; Goodfellows board member; past President of Muskegon Rotary and a Paul Harris Fellow; and was a founder and co-board Chair of One Muskegon.
Gary was an active member of his church, First Presbyterian Church in Muskegon where he served as Elder and in other capacities. He was a guest lecturer for the American Press Institute, Washington D.C. and was named a past Volunteer of the Year for the United Way of Muskegon County; and had received the Patricia Johnson Community Service Award. He was also a member of the Newspaper Association of America.
Additionally, he found time for special interests in Classic Automobiles, and enjoyed his trip on Route 66 with his wife, Kay and family trips to Maui in 2014 and Costa Rica in the Spring of 2016. He enjoyed golf with buddy and friend Quinn Champion, The English Car Group of Muskegon and Ottawa County, and serving as a Norton Shores City Councilman, since 2008.
He was devoted to his wife, the former Kay Peete, whom he married February 14, 1969; his daughter Carol (Matthew) Moore of Norton Shores; son Clay W. (Lisa Pahl) Ostrom and grandson, Miles Pahl Ostrom (age 7) of Los Angeles, CA; brother-in-law Bill (Gloria) Peete of Hickory, NC and close cousins, Jim (Marianne) Smith of, IL and Don (Sandy) Soderstrom of MO.
FUNERAL SERVICES for Gary will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at First Presbyterian Church, 2577 Wickham Drive at Sherman Blvd, Muskegon, MI 49441 with his Pastor, the Rev. James Rausch, officiating. VISITATION with Gary’s family will be 4:00 – 7:00PM Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey Street, Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231-798-1100); and from 10:00 – 10:30AM Wednesday, prior to the service at the church. For a more lasting memorial, you are asked to consider First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund or Muskegon Senior Services. You are also invited to sign the family’s Online Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com.
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