Gary D Sells

Dr. Gary Donell Sells, of Rolla, MO, formerly of Kirksville, MO passed away September 12, 2024. He was born on August 5, 1932, in New Hartford, Iowa to Dallas and Stella Sells. He was the oldest of four boys. His parents moved to Waterloo, Iowa where Gary went to elementary school. In about 1943 his parents moved back to New Hartford to Gary’s grandfather Charles Sells’ farm. Gary graduated from high school in New Hartford in 1950. While in high school he participated in sports and class plays. He received a four-year letter in baseball and a two-year letter in basketball.

After high school he worked on a farm for Bob Moore and in the Fall entered college at the University of Northern Iowa. During his first year of college, he worked full time at Rath Packing Company and drove home each night to the family farm. During his second year of college, he stayed in Cedar Falls and worked part-time. This was when he met Joyce Lyons. On January 4, 1953, Gary married Joyce and they spent the next 68 years together, which included raising their four children. 

Gary graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1954 and took a teaching job in Argyle, IA. Gary enjoyed teaching science classes. He applied for a received a one-year National Scholarship to UNI in which he received his Masters in 1959. It was while working with Dr. David Staniforth that he received a three-year scholarship to complete his Ph.D in Plant Physiology. He graduated in 1965 and took a job in Kirksville, MO at Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University). He taught for 31 years and retired in 1996.

Gary enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kirksvilleand many other Professional and Academic Affiliations. Gary enjoyed gardening and propagating plants, as well as teaching his grandchildren all about plants. Gary and Joyce also enjoyed playing cards and square dancing and following their children,grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they participated in their school and sports activities. 

Those preceding Gary in death are his parents, wife Joyce Sells, brothers Gale Sells, Edwin Sells and Erwin Sells, sister-in-law Anita Sells and son-in-law Russ Knowles.

Survivors include his children, Dr. Linnette (Brian) Sells Vanderhoof of Fernandina Beach, FL, Laurie Knowles of Albia, IA, Mark (Susan) Sells of Rolla, MO and James (Julie) Sells of Moberly, MO. Grandchildren include Alex (Nicole) Stone of Alpharetta, GA, Todd (Holly) Vanderhoof of Dawsonville, GA, Dr. Kendra (Bradley) Martin of Albia, IA, Benjamin Sells of Rolla, MO, Jacob (Marida) Sells of Cape Girardeau, MO, Dr. Marybeth (Reed) Davis of St. Louis, MO, Elaina (Turner) Adams, Liberty, MO, Dr. Hannah Sells of Kansas City, MO and William Sells of Moberly, MO. Great grandchildren, Mitchell and Katie Stone of Alpharetta, GA, Brett and Lily Martin of Albia, IA, Kona Vanderhoof, Dawsonville, GA and Adaline Adams, Liberty, MO. 

 Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 20, 2024 with funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Burial Will be at Park View Memorial Gardens in Kirksville, MO. Playle-Rimer-Millard Family Funeral Chapel will handle the arrangements.

 In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Gary’s memory are appreciated and can be sent to The Gary and Joyce Sells Scholarship Fund at Truman State University, 100 E. Normal Ave., Kirksville, MO 63501 or the First United Methodist Church, 300 E. Washington St., Kirksville, MO 63501.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Playle- Rimer- Millard Family Funeral Chapel