The Georgia chess community lost a long-time chess teacher and tournament director last week. Gary Southerland passed away in his sleep. I did not know Gary very well, but I’d seen him at all the GCA tournaments and spoken with him a few times. The next issue of Georgia Chess magazine will remember Gary. The upcoming Georgia Class Championship is also being named the Rueben Hand, Gary Southerland Memorial. He clearly had a passion for chess, and he will be missed.
Memorial Service Information (to be held August 30)
Newspaper Obituary
That’s sad to hear. It sounds like he was a great contributor to Georgian chess. I wonder why they were so fast to cremate him if they hadn’t determined a cause of death?
Comment by CelticDeath — September 1, 2005 @ 4:24 pm