After graduating in 1974 from the University of Washington with a B.A. degree, Gary worked in Seattle in sales and service. He furthered his education by attending Portland Community College and received an associate degree in dental technology. After his basic training in school, he worked for a full service lab doing denture and crown and bridge cases. Moving to Walla Walla in 1979, he bought Ray Dental Lab and had been in that location for 18 years. Gary then moved his lab to a larger facility, updated his equipment and hired exceptionally skilled people with many years of experience in the field.