[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Gary Sessums - Silent Key

[Sean Gallagher]

Thanks for that Mike!  

We were initially told that the 10-11AM local portion of Gary's arrangements would be a service so I suggested that they stream it from the funeral home which they were capable of but when the arrangements were published, the service turned into a visitation which I would doubt they would stream. We did the best we could do.

Also contained in Gary's obituary were the family wishes that in lieu of flowers (Gary was never a big flower guy), contributions could be made to a charity of choice. So, in this vein, I am soliciting for ideas on which charity should we fund.  A couple of candidates come to mind quickly but there could be others.  The Scouts are an organization near and dear to Gary's heart.  A contribution to ARRL might be appropriate.  Perhaps a charity focused on Stroke Research would be the right one as that's ultimately what took him away from us. There could be others.   Please provide your suggestions as soon as possible so we can get this action completed.

On a happier note, a couple of Gary's other groups, the Fairlington Social Club and the Shirlington Running Club are having an informal pre-Memorial Day gathering at the Columbia Island Marina tomorrow at 1630 hrs.  In fact, this gathering was setup by Gary recently as it had been for the past many years on the Friday before Memorial Day.  Those two groups have reached out to us to come and gather with them, have a libation, some food and yes probably tell a few funny Gary stories.  This isn't the celebration of life that was mentioned, just a very informal gathering of Gary's friends.

For those of you that haven't been to Columbia Island Marina, you will need to be southbound on the parkway from the Memorial Bridge or come into the parkway from Rt 27 (Washington Blvd) and the entrance is just before the Humpback bridge and Ramp to 395 south.  Pull straight into the facility and down to the marina.  The restaurant / patio area will be on your left.  Those of you that have done Day in the Park / POTA with us previously will feel right at home!   Oh yes, Day in the Park / POTA will be run the very next day from this same location, 0800-noon.

I plan on being at the marina around 1600.  

I'll be on the 315 and the K4US repeaters as well as my cell if you get lost. 703-625-1500,

Look forward to seeing a few smiling ARC faces tomorrow along with some AARC and PARC faces too!!

Best,
Sean
K4KBK


> On 05/21/2026 8:08 PM EDT Michael Joyce via AlexandriaRadioClub <alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
>  
> For those who have not already found it, Gary's obituary can be viewed at
> the following,
> 
> https://www.ottandlee.com/obituaries/gary-sessums
> 
> 73,
> W4HFH Alexandria Radio Club
> Secretary
> 
> Mike Joyce, KQ4WOI
> 
> https://w4hfh.org/
> 
> On Wed, May 13, 2026 at 3:50 PM Sean Gallagher via AlexandriaRadioClub <
> alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
> > 13 May 2026
> >
> > It is my sad duty to inform you that Gary Sessums, the Northern Virginia
> > Ambassador of Amateur Radio, is now a Silent Key.  Gary passed away
> > peacefully this morning, succumbing to the massive stroke that he suffered
> > late in the week of 27 April.  The plans for Gary’s services are being put
> > together at this time and I will publish specific details on them when they
> > are confirmed.  I anticipate that Gary will be transferred to Forest MS for
> > services and final internment.
> >
> > Gary touched a lot of lives as he went through his life's journey and his
> > various activities here in the Northern Virginia area and this sudden
> > departure has created a significant void filled with great sadness and
> > emptiness.  As Gary was a very upbeat and social guy, he would not want us
> > to be sad or grieve. Instead, Gary would want us to remember the good times
> > and all the fun we had.  What better way to do that than with a social
> > event in his honor!
> >
> > Once Gary completes his journey to his final resting spot, we, the Amateur
> > Radio Clubs of Northern Virginia, the Fairlington Social Club group, the
> > Shirlington Runners Club among others will organize a Celebration of Life
> > at a local (TBD) Northern Virginia venue to honor Gary, his life and his
> > accomplishments.  We will send out further details on this Celebration as
> > we get a little more organized and as the plan forms up.
> >
> > God Speed Gary, you fought a good fight!
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Sean Gallagher
> > K4KBK
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