Gary R. McGill, civil engineer, business founder, and cattle farmer, finished his earthly projects on October 9, 2026, after an extended illness.

In addition to his incredible work ethic, Gary was known for his fairness, generosity, and friendships. His lifelong belief was that everyone deserves clean water.

A Sevier County native, Gary was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with additional post-bachelor education in Water Supply Engineering curriculum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He held professional registrations in Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida.

In 1984, he founded McGill Associates in Asheville, NC, an engineering firm with special emphasis in water and wastewater management that grew to include diverse projects in numerous municipalities throughout North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia. He was also a principal partner with Dennie Martin in Martin McGill and McGill Partners, Asheville, NC.

After an intensive 45-year career in public project development, he retired in 2015 to fulfill a lifelong dream as a full-time cattle farmer on his family land in Seymour, TN. He attained an Advanced Master Beef Producer Certification from the University of Tennessee Extension Service. An avid hiker, he was also an enthusiastic supporter of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maxine Keeble Davis McGill and Robert Bruce McGill, his brother Robert McGill, and his sister, Cathy McGill Williams. He is survived by his wife, Kim Yates McGill (Maryville) and their children, Garyn Lord and husband Brandon (Lexington, KY), Davis McGill (Maryville), and Ailcy McGill (Knoxville); his sisters Linda McGill (Denver), Melanee McGill (Knoxville), sister-in-law Susan McGill (Sevierville), and several nieces and nephews.

Donations in memory of Gary can be made at friendsofthesmokies.org.

A memorial tribute to Gary’s life will be held at a later date.