Gary L. Pleger

Gary L. Pleger, of Athens, who was born June 17, 1932 in Lancaster, PA to Alcie G. and Harry W. Pleger, passed away May 23, 2022.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Beilman Pleger; daughter Christina (Chris) Pleger Phillips, daughter Cynthia (Cindy) Marie Mackey, and son Stephen (Steve) Scott Pleger; also grandchildren Gina Mackey, Sophie Pleger, Ryan Phillips, and David Mackey.
Gary came to Athens in 1950 to play on the UGA golf team and was followed in that pursuit by son Steve, daughter Cindy, and grandson David Mackey, all of whom played for UGA. He received business and law degrees from UGA and practiced law in Athens from 1957 to his retirement. In 1974 he was elected as Republican 10th District Of Georgia nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives.
He organized Green Hills Golf Club, designed its first nine holes and supervised the construction; established and operated a multistate chain of franchised H&R Block offices headquartered in Atlanta after opening Georgia’s first H&R Block office in Athens; founded and served as CEO of Learning Foundations Int'l, a nationwide chain of learning centers; and established Home Credit, LLC, a Georgia licensed residential mortgage lender, which he managed until retirement.
Gary was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Athens Country Club, which made it possible for him to accept UGA’s golf invitation and establish his family life here with the grant of locker and playing privileges during a non scholarship for golf and freshman non eligible for varsity sports era.
At Gary's request, there will be no formal services held.
Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com