Gary Arthur Couse, 85

Gary Arthur Couse, 83, of Swainsboro passed away at his home on Sunday, September 14, 2025 under the loving care of his family. A celebration of Gary’s life was held Saturday, September 20 at Tomlinson Funeral Home at 11 a.m. followed by a gathering at Gary’s home.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 4, 1941, he was the eldest of two children born to Arthur and Loretta Couse. He graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri with his Master’s in Business Administration. Gary married Mary Ellen Cunningham and had three children, Michelle, Clint, and Tami. Gary was blessed later with a daughter, Kanokwan. He married Marilyn Sue Staples and Marilyn’s children Jeffrey and Brenda joined their home. Marilyn and Gary shared a special and loving bond. Gary was pivotal in her care when her health declined, and she passed away in 2019.

Gary grew up in St. Louis, Missouri where he attended Cleveland High School. He attended college at Missouri School of Science and Technology for engineering where he played Division 2 football. Gary worked as a civil engineer contracting with the US Air Force in Thailand and Vietnam. Later in life Gary was a Financial Advisor in Swainsboro.

He was an avid sportsman and adventurer. He loved hunting, fishing, bike riding, snow skiing and wildlife photography. His true passion was any outdoor activity that involved thrills, risks, danger, and adventure. His fondest memories, which he documented through photographs, involved skiing down snow-covered mountains, scuba diving on coral reefs, whitewater rafting, hiking the Appalachian Trail, and arduous bike rides.

Gary had many great adventures and accomplishments. He was highlighted in the Encyclopedia Britannica with his sister Jackie for their Archery accomplishments. Gary was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, earning the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Gary, at 62, started his through hike of the Appalachian Trail and completed it from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine in under five months. He biked across both the United States and Canada. Gary participated in multiple Pine Tree Breeze 100-mile bike rides. Gary was an integral part of the Swainsboro Kiwanis, as he helped with numerous races and even served as the previous president of the Kiwanis in 2001 and 2017.

Gary said the only thing he loved more than adventures was doing them with his friends and family. He was a kind and loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. His true love in life was his family. He enjoyed many ski trips, scuba diving wonders, and whitewater rafting thrills all with children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gary is survived by his sister Jackie Couse Roedel (Rich) of St. Louis and his children, Jeff Baumhoer (Devon), Michelle Kasak, Clint Couse, Kanokwan Bohan (Rich), Brenda Henry (Mitchell), and Tami Acklin (Mike).

He is also survived by the ones that brought him the most joy. His grandchildren, Carter Baumhoer, Sierra Poole (Dylan), Austin Henry, Faith Couse, Caileigh McDowell (Kaleb), Megan Acklin, Mikayla Acklin, Hunter Bohan, Nathan Corliss, Steven Corliss, Carter Puryear, and Aubrey Puryear. His great grandchildren, Aden Poole, Laura Beth Poole, Lane McDowell, and Lynnox McDowell.

Tomlinson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.