Timothy Robert Gathers

Born on the 4th of July 1958, Timothy Robert Gathers passed away on February 20, 2026. He had the courage to be exactly who he was in life, the courage to fight the good fight when illness came, and the courage to see this life through to its end with grace. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Flossmoor and Decatur, Illinois. He graduated from Decatur’s Douglas MacArthur High School in 1975, then attended Western Illinois University before transferring to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. He then lived in South Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia, residing for nearly thirty years in the Lancaster, Ohio area. Tim was skilled at many things, including restoring antique log homes, ornamental ironwork, basketmaking (learned from Dwight Stump of Hocking Hills, Ohio), landscaping, carpentry, and creating huge bonfires. Among his biggest accomplishments was renovating two 1860s log houses in Lancaster, both of which became homes for him and his spouse, Cindy. Tim loved traveling anywhere in New Mexico, but especially to the Pueblo tribal areas to learn about their cultures and arts. He collected beautiful Southwestern art - paintings, pottery and jewelry from New Mexico and Arizona artists. He believed strongly in the importance of preserving history and protecting our public lands. Tim also collected coins and primitive antiques. Always active, Tim loved to run, trail hike, horseback ride, and kayak. Hiking off trail anywhere in the Southwest and Hocking Hills were favorite places. If he saw a mountain, he wanted to find his own way to the top of it. He knew Cindy enjoyed more traditional trail hiking, so he would happily do that with her as well. In every way he followed his own path. With Tim, people either got his sarcastic humor, or they didn’t. He joked around and provided fun for people and was never too serious. He was always up for a challenge and learning new things. In 1985 he was hiking and came across Cindy’s sister Melody, a Girl Scout Leader lost in the Hocking Hills with her troop of little girls. As he helped them find their way, they chatted and Mel suggested she fix him up with her sister Cindy. They met later for a hike, and they were still hiking together thirty-eight years later. They were married in an outdoor wedding on July 4,1987 in Liberty Township, Ohio. He was an avid reader whose favorite authors were Louis L’Amour, James Patterson, and David Baldacchi. He loved good bourbon and wine, desserts and Donut World's apple fritters. Tim always had special animals in his life. His first horse was Golden, which he owned when he was living with his Aunt Anne Castle and helping her build her dream, The Inn at Cedar Falls. Scout was his buckskin horse and animal soulmate for thirty years. Then there was Eddie, the sweetest German Shepherd, and today, Betty Mae, who is game for anything and squealed every time she saw him. He called her his therapy dog during his cancer journey. Tim Gathers was a gentle, independent soul who loved nature, family, friends and animals (many times better than people!) He enjoyed life and knew how to make everyone around him comfortable. Tim is pre-deceased by his parents, Harry and Patricia (Castle) Gathers. Remembering him with love is his family: spouse, Cynthia Petrie; sisters, Laura (Ross) Harms and Grace Greenwell; sisters-in-law, Charity (Mike) Monroe and Melody Borchers. Nine beloved nieces: Melinda Monroe, Amanda Flora, Sarah (Brendan) Hennessy, Gillian (Jason) Kreager, Jackie Bean, Jennifer (Michael Kwong) Harms, Christina (Scott Ross) Harms, Samantha Greenwell, and Josie (Ricky) Martinez, and several great nieces and nephews. A private immediate family gathering will be held. In lieu of flowers to honor Tim’s memory, donations can be made to the Ohio Chapter of the Sierra Club at http://sc.org/MemorialOH.

Timothy Robert Gathers

July 4, 1958 - February 20, 2026