The WDA is pleased to announce the former Mrs. Wauseon (1958) and Wauseon Citizen of the year (1987) Mary Gype, and husband Jim will be our grand Marshalls for this year’s annual Christmas Parade. The honored guests will ride in a beautiful horse drawn carriage as part of the annual event scheduled for Saturday, November 28.
Both Mary and Jim are long time residents of Wauseon and graduates of Wauseon High School.
Jim is a member of the Fulton County United Veterans, the VFW, and the American Legion where he currently serves as a trustee. He is in the Wauseon Athletic Hall of Fame. He volunteers where ever he is needed.
Jim played football and basketball in high school. He helped the basketball team to victory in 1943 and the football team to win the title in 1944.
Jim was drafted right out of school; the teachers gave him extra assignments so that he could get his diploma before being shipped out in December 1944.
Jim served in the Navy where he operated the elevators that bring the fighter-planes on deck.
Two days after returning home, Jim started work for his father at Gype Motor Sales on Depot Street as mechanic and salesman until selling the business. Since then he has kept busy doing odd jobs, helping widows with handyman work, construction, and doing whatever he can to help others.
Mary attended Pettisville School through eighth grade where she learned to play the violin. When attending Wauseon for High School she gave up the violin as Wauseon didn‘t have an orchestra. Mary found many other activities to keep her busy though. Mary served on Student Council, had the lead female role in class plays, and was track queen and basketball queen, just to name a few of her accomplishments.
As an adult Mary has been involved with many organizations. Serving as a 4-H adviser, softball coach, on school boards, and Wakiya are just a sample of the many things Mary has been a part of.
Elected Clerk of Courts in 1977, Mary remained until retirement in 2010.
Marrying her high school sweetheart Jim in March of 1948, they raised two children in the home they built in 1950, where they still reside. Their daughter has stayed in the area and their son lives in New Jersey. They are proud of their grandchildren, one granddaughter and two grandsons; one is Special Forces, the other a Deputy Marshall in Colorado. They are also blessed with two great-grand children.
The couple’s retirement is spent traveling around the world and the United States, helping others, keeping busy and active with the Senior Center and spending time at their cottage in Canada with family and friends.
Jim feels every person should serve two years in the military service to learn discipline.
Mary believes Wauseon and Fulton County is a great place to live and raise a family.
Words of advice they have: “Give. It’s a give and take” and “Moderation in All Things”.
Prince and Princess sought
The WDA is looking for a Christmas Parade Prince and Princess. The children need to be old enough to ride on a float by themselves but young enough to still enjoy it, preferably kindergarten to third grade students.
The contest forms may be picked up at the Chief’s, Leggett Street Primary School office, the Wauseon Public Library or found on our Website. Fill out the forms telling us why your precious little one should be picked to be Prince or Princess and return to the library by November 13.
The WDA annual Christmas Parade has extended its parade route.
We will be starting off Superior Street to allow for more onlookers. Join the WDA in kicking off the Holiday season at 7p.m. Saturday, November 28 for the annual Christmas Parade. The participants will fill Fulton Street heading north down the Historical Downtown Wauseon Business District with lights, music and merriment.
Santa will be waiting at the Depot following the parade. Cookies and cocoa will again be served.
We have also set an entry deadline for the parade so as to help alleviate some confusion at the parade lineup. We are always striving to make the parade bigger and better.
If you or someone you know would like to be part of the parade we invite you to access our website, www.wauseondowntown.org to help with the parade or other future events.
New for this season: Plans are in the making to have a window decorating contest.
INFORMATION PROVIDED
