In Memory of Gary Lydic
Gary Frederick Lydic, 78, of Jackson, Tennessee, passed away on September 4, 2026.
He was born March 6, 1948, in Dayton, Ohio, to the late Paul and Marilyn Lydic. He graduated from Oakwood High School and McPherson College, where he earned a degree in physical education and played collegiate basketball.
Gary married Debi Radford Lydic, and they were together for 49 years. They were the parents of two sons, Trevor and Brent, and grandparents of three.
During his professional career, Gary held operational and management positions with Walt Disney World; served as Personnel Director and in various ministry leadership roles with Focus on the Family; worked with America’s Family Coaches; and co-founded Onward and Upward Ministries with his wife, Debi.
Gary’s ministry and professional work included personnel leadership, basketball camps, youth and family ministry, pastoral ministry, marriage and premarital coaching, and ministry within the basketball community. He remained actively involved in Christian ministry throughout much of his adult life.
Your Contributions Are Stewarded Wisely
Every gift you give through Compassion is handled with integrity and care. We follow strict financial guardrails to ensure accountability, transparency and the flexibility to invest wisely for long-term impact.
We invest every dollar in one of three ways
Implementing our program today
Inviting the next child (and their supporter) into the program
Sustaining and enhancing our ability to deliver excellent programs
These investments are typically referred to as “Program,” “Fundraising” and “Administrative” expenses, respectively. Compassion’s rigorous annual strategic planning and budgeting process determines the resources allocated to Program, Fundraising and Administration. Our policy is to ensure that 75 to 82 cents on the dollar will always be allocated to Program expenses.