Barry Electric Celebrates a Whyte Out
Just when we were unsure what to do without the 39 years of experience of Don Newman, another long-time employee thought the retirement gig looked pretty sweet. On May 15th, Gary Whyte spent his last day at BEC with a smile on his face and surrounded by many friends wishing him the best.
Gary started at BEC in 1989 as a work order and material clerk under then manager, Joe Preddy. Gary’s good nature and knack for multi-tasking made him an office favorite. He was always available to help cover wherever and whenever needed. You would be hard-pressed to find another employee with Gary’s work ethic and attention to details. He also had a wonderful ability to make his co-workers laugh. He always showed great leadership, especially during storms when, on multiple occasions, he would return early from vacation just to help and make sure the lights came back on. Gary was promoted to Assistant Manager by Bill Shiveley in 2004, and he was very instrumental in the launch of goBEC Fiber Network in 2016. Gary was well known in the Missouri Cooperative Community for his volunteer work at the Missouri State Fairs and the Legislative Fish Fries in Jefferson City. No one could take a keepsake State Fair photo like him, and whatever work needed done to feed hundreds of Missouri State Legislators, you can bet he was up for it.
Throughout his career, Gary built special relationships with all his coworkers, but none closer than with Ms. Faith Earle. Faith had forty years in with BEC when Gary first started, and they worked together for thirteen years after that. A lot of great wisdom was passed from Faith to Gary. They even lived next door to one another for several years. Gary, along with his wife Wanda, took care of Faith and it wasn’t uncommon for Gary to take Faith to her weekly Friday hair appointments, during his lunch breaks.
Not only was Gary a huge part of BEC, but his dedication to the Cassville community was incredible. He served on the Chamber of Commerce Board (Treasurer 2010, Vice President 2011 and President 2012), Rotary, Cassville Fire Protection Board and Community Foundation Board. He volunteered at many community events including Roaring River Opening Days, Christmas Parades, Chili Cook-Offs, Dogwood Car Shows, Rotary Rodeos and the Hillbilly Industrial Golf Tournaments. He also volunteered with students in the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program and is part of the reason, current employee, Kiley Stringer applied for a job with BEC. He was active in the First Christian Church with youth programs, singing in the church choir and teaching Sunday School classes.
All of us at BEC and in the Cassville Community wish Gary Whyte the best in his next adventure. There is no way to truly thank him for all he did for all of us.
