Gary R. Houk

Gary R. Houk, age 56, of Dublin, Ohio, lost his courageous battle with cancer on August 18, 2008, at his residence, surrounded by the family he loved. Born September 7, 1951, in Akron, Ohio, Gary is survived by his devoted wife, Randi and daughter, Shannon (Ben) Stenberg. He also leaves behind his parents, Maureen and Joe Savely of Roanoke, Virginia, and Robert and Carolyn Houk of Fleming Island, Florida; and his sisters, Paula (Charlie) Tate, Karen (Jeff) Barger; his brother, James (Susan) Houk; half-sister, Robyn (Charles) Bailey; and step-sisters, Sindy (Joe) Wilson, Renee (Steve) Miller and Susan (Fred) Douglas. In addition, he will be greatly missed by many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless dear friends. A 1973 graduate of The Ohio State University, he received a B.S. in Computer Science and earned his Master's in Business Administration at OSU in 1984. Gary was a passionate Buckeye, rooting for the "Scarlet and Gray" all of his life. For the past 34 years, he worked at OCLC in Dublin, Ohio. In the first 18 years of his career, he held various technical and management positions in product development, quality assurance and systems engineering and served most recently as the Vice President of Corporate Information Technology and Business Integration. In that capacity, he played a key leadership role in the evolution of OCLC from a technological environment based on proprietary systems to a globally networked, Web-based information resource based on open architectural models. Always active in local civic affairs, Gary served as President of the Dublin A.M. Rotary (1997-1998), President of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce (2003-2004) and later as a board member of the Board of Governors for the Dublin Foundation. At the time of his death, he was also serving on the boards of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Business Technology Center, Columbus, Ohio, as well as the City of Columbus Mayor's Advisory Council for Volunteer Service. An avid golfer, Gary was a longtime member of Wedgewood Country Club, where he also served on the club's board. Quick with a joke and at all times a great and loving man, he will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Family and friends may call 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, August 20, 2008, at RUTHERFORD FUNERAL HOME AT POWELL, 450 W. Olentangy Street, (Powell Rd./St. Rt. 750/1/4 mile east of Sawmill Pkwy.), Powell, Ohio. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, August 21, 2008, at Northwest Chapel, 6700 Rings Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017. Pastor Terry Hofecker officiating. (www.northwestchapel.org). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Kobacker House/HomeReach Hospice, 3595 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43214 or the Dublin A.M. Rotary Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 671, Dublin OH 43017. Condolences to www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com. Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries