James and Martha ran a Photo Gallery and profited well. Gary was born and raised in Golden Colorado, located in the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains.  The Wilsons were delighted to have another son, as Gary's oldest brother Scott was two years old when Gary was born. Gary and Scott were inseparable growing up. They had lots of friends but enjoyed each other's company more, until they reached their teens.  Scott was the more serious of the two brothers.  Gary was the more adventurous type.

Both boys excelled academically in high school. Scott enjoyed theatre and the arts, while Gary loved hanging out with his rock and roll friends, skiing and snowboarding.  Life was good for Gary in this quaint, little western town.  Scott graduated high school in 1990, and with help from his parents, he started his own small tourist business and married his high school sweetheart.

Gary graduated two years later and obtained a scholarship to the Colorado School of Mines. After earning his Master's degree in 2002, he was offered a teaching job in the School of Mines.  He accepted the job, and there he met Helena Parker.  She was everything he had dreamed of for a wife. She was very beautiful and the love of his life. They were married in July 2003. Things were great at the beginning for the young couple but in time it began to sour. Helena wasn't happy being married which broke Gary’s heart.  They divorced in 2004.

No matter how hard Gary tried, he couldn't get over Helena.  Through contact with an old friend, Gary learned there was a job opening at the School of Engineering at the University of Mississippi. He applied for the job and was accepted.

Gary made his move to Oxford in May of 2005.