Matters of the Heart

Forward-thinking groom saves the day when Gary and Kay Gee married in 1967

by Mary Jo David, as told to Kaytlyn Higgins

Many are familiar with the longtime area business known as Gee Farms. Founders of the business, Gary and Kay Gee, will be married 58 years this month—a huge accomplishment for anyone, but especially for two people who have run a business together.

Recently, their granddaughter, Kaytlyn Higgins, sat down separately with her grandparents to get their feedback on what has made the relationship work.

Kay (maiden name “Wilson”) grew up on Fitchburg Road and moved to a house on Baseline a few houses away from Gary’s family on Bunkerhill Road. Kay was best friends with Gary’s younger sister Susan, and Gary was friends with Kay’s older brother.

The Gees were married in February 1967 at Christ Episcopal Church in Pleasant Lake, and there was no end to the memories from that day. Apparently, the Gees attracted friends with unusual senses of humor. Gary recalls that, the day of the wedding, he’d parked his car at the Batdorff’s house. Some guests bring a “Plus One,” but instead, their friend Tom Taylor brought the wheels from the bridal couple’s car to the reception! Gary wasn’t alarmed, though, because he knew something Tom and the others did not—the Gees had a new car parked at Friermuth’s just waiting to take them away on their honeymoon!

To cap off the happy occasion, Gary recalls getting a ticket on their honeymoon.

The Gees have lived on the same farm on Bunkerhill Road since their wedding. Kay admits she wasn’t just attracted to Gary; she also had a soft spot for Gary’s Weimaraner dog named Wing.

The couple have a lot in common, including their four daughters, and both consider those daughters to be their pride and joy. They both also enjoy the companionship of being married, although Gary admitted it wasn’t easy getting used to being home at night after they got married.

They also both appreciate how hard the other has worked—at home and in the business, but apparently each has a bit of a stubborn streak.

Says Gary about Kay: “She’s hardworking and has kept the business together, but she’s beyond teaching, she’s very set in her ways!”

Kay also thinks Gary is quite hardworking, and her marriage has taught her how important family is and being able to rely on her partner—but not when it comes to timeliness. “Ohmygosh—he’s not known for timeliness,” Kay exclaimed. “We’ve had to coin the phrase ‘Gee Time’ to mean we’re going to be late!”

Even so, she says if she had it all to do over again, she’d have married the same man again, so that counts for something.

When asked what advice they have for other couples considering marriage, Kay says, “Think about it long and hard. It’s my belief…from the generation I grew up in, to get married once, and for life.”

Gary’s advice is “Appreciate what you have. You never know when it will be gone. Don’t marry someone unless you can see yourself with them for life.”

Photos provided by Kary Gee

Married in 1967, something about Gary and Kay Gee inspired their friends to resort to shenanigans at their wedding!

Gary and Kay Gee both appreciate how hard the other has worked over the last 58 years—at home and in the business.

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