Ambrose "Gary" Searle, 87, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2021 at the Treasure Coast Hospice House after a short illness. He was born on December 21, 1933 to Jack and Mary Searle of Chicago. After growing up a mischievous, only child in Chicago, he graduated #72 out of 76 at St. Gregory's Catholic High School and flunked out of community college. His dad encouraged him to enlist in the US Army right after the Korean War. Stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky as a member of the 101st Airborne Unit, he met his future wife, Maxine Bracey of Pleasant View, Tennessee, on a blind date. They were married 6 months later and had two children, Mike and Mary Ann. Gary is survived by Maxine, Mike (Sandee), Mary Ann, a host of Searle and Bracey family members, and granddogs, Ringo, Pepper, and Ozzie. As a young husband and father, Gary worked in retail management as a menswear buyer. He employed high school CO-OP students through a program called Distributive (Marketing) Education (DECA). As an early recipient of the veterans' GI bill, he returned to college at Austin Peay State University to become a DE Teacher and began his teaching career at Milwaukee Juneau High School. After finishing his Master's degree at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, he became a regional and state Supervisor for DECA. At 42 years old, he decided to earn his Doctor of Education degree at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville to become a University Professor and train students to become Business & Marketing Education (DECA) teachers. He leaves a legacy of training 100s of future teachers and business leaders at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. During school breaks, Gary and Maxine would go on family trips throughout the United States. In 1984, they started international traveling. T heir last two international trips were Cuba (2018) and Israel (2017). In 1996, Gary and Maxine retired to Palm City, Florida. He enjoyed golfing, boating on the St. Lucie River, collecting classic Chevy cars, hanging out with his dogs and granddogs, reading suspense novels, dining out with friends, and continuing his travel adventures. Gary and Maxine stayed connected with his extended family through 25 Annual Searle Cousins Trips around the United States. Gary and Mike took 12 Father-Son Trips around the world. With family and friends, Gary traveled to all 50 U.S. states at least 3 times, and over 120 countries. He was a member of the Century Travel Club, in addition to the Treasure Coast Classic Chevy Club. Gary was larger than life and quite a character! He always had stories to tell, advice to give, and a hearty laugh! Instead of a traditional funeral, his family has planned a "Celebration of Life via Story Telling" at The Twisted Tuna in Stuart, Florida on Saturday, May 29 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Friends with classic cars are invited to bring their cars and line up at 1:30 p.m. R.S.V.P.s for Lunch are requested by calling/texting Maureen Buergermeister at (772) 245-9137 (or) emailing Jim Buergermeister at buergermeisterj@uwstout.edu by Wednesday, 26, 2021. Family and friends who cannot attend are encouraged to share a story via email, text, or video message to Austin Craig at Austincraig914@gmail or (615) 480-2357 by Wednesday, May 26, 2021. In lieu of flowers, the family will appreciate the opportunity for friends and family to carry on Gary's legacy as a Teacher Educator by donating to the Gary and Maxine Searle Family Scholarship at the Stout University Foundation, 320 South Broadway, Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751; (715) 232-1151; suf@uwstout.edu .