Dr. William Gary Love

William Gary (Gary) Love, 84, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025, in Athens, Georgia, with his devoted wife Janice by his side. Born in Meridian, Mississippi, Gary grew up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where his early exposure to the scientific community would shape his life's work.

Gary earned both his bachelor's degree and PhD in Physics from the University of Tennessee. In 1970, he joined the faculty at the University of Georgia in Athens, where he made significant contributions to theoretical nuclear physics. He spoke globally, including in Germany, Japan, and India, on his academic specialty. His creativity and innovation earned him the inaugural prestigious Lamar Dodd Creative Research Award at the University, recognizing outstanding scholarly or creative achievement, and he was named a Regents' Professor in 1982—a title bestowed on faculty whose scholarship is recognized both nationally and internationally as innovative and pacesetting.

Known for his quick wit, Gary once remarked following Georgia's 1980 National Championship, "We try to have a physics department our football team can be proud of."

Gary first encountered Janice Peters, also from Oak Ridge, at a physics picnic she was attending with her physicist brothers at the University of Tennessee, where she was earning her degree in special education. They married on September 4, 1966, beginning a partnership that would span nearly six decades. He was a devoted father who championed his daughters' education and ambitions. A strong believer in the equality of women and girls, he supported them as they pursued their own paths. An avid softball player, he never missed his eldest daughter Teresa's games and took great pride in her career as a lawyer in military service. He was proud to walk his youngest daughter Cindy down the aisle at First Baptist Church of Athens, where he was a long-time member, and enjoyed discussing faith with her and hearing about her pursuit of a career in theology and theological education. He delighted in spending time with his five grandchildren as they moved around the country and the world with their military families. Gary taught those around him that kindness, acceptance, and genuine belief in others were the truest expressions of love.

Gary maintained a lifelong connection to his Mississippi roots and relatives, enjoyed following athletes from his home state, and had a special place in his heart for country music. He and Janice treasured their lifelong friendships with Carey and Sandra Terrell, Philip and Cathy Murphy, and Dwight and Lorrie Coulter.

He was predeceased by his proud father, Temple A. Love; his beloved mother, Dorothy White Love; and his older sister, Jane Love Cook. He is survived by his wife, Janice, of Athens; his daughters, Teresa G. Love (Julie Allen) of Stuttgart, Germany, and Cindy Love Childers (Clark) of Wilton, United Kingdom; his younger sister, Mary Lou Love Cooper (Stan) of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and five grandchildren: Quentin Lovejoy, Julian Lovejoy, William (Liam) Childers, Natalie Childers, and Levi Childers.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home East in Athens, Georgia, with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm and the service at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, and in recognition of Gary's love of trees and the environment, the family would appreciate a donation of a tree in his name, a contribution to the Southern Poverty Law Center, or to a charity of your choice.