Gary B. Huisman

Gary Brant Huisman, born April 8, 1940, was taken home to the embrace of his Lord Jesus Christ on October 28, 2025.

He was born in Grand Haven, Michigan, to Henry B. and Jennie (Hoebeke) Huisman. He graduated with degrees from Calvin College, and Western Michigan University. In 1966 he moved to Lookout Mountain, Georgia, to join a newly relocated Covenant College as its first Librarian. It was there that he met his bride, Julie (Webb), who was a student of the College at the time. They were married for 57 years.

Gary served as the Librarian at Covenant College for 36 years, having overseen the construction of the college’s first dedicated library building, the John Bunyan Reading Room and Rare Book Collection, and later the modernization of its catalogue from cards to a fully digital catalogue. His dedication to Christian education also extended to playing an early and meaningful role in the founding of Chattanooga Christian School. He loved reading, discovering new printings of the Bible, and giving away Bibles to young people and family members.

Gary is fondly remembered as an accomplished organist, faithfully accompanying the worship at the Reformed Presbyterian Church (later Grace Presbyterian Church) on Lookout Mountain (PCA) for 50 years, where he served as a Ruling Elder for many years.

Gary is predeceased by his parents, Henry B. Huisman and Jennie Huisman, and brothers Donald Huisman and James Huisman. He is survived by his wife Julie, children Jeanie (Matt) Christian, Brant (Melissa) Huisman, and John (Jennifer) Huisman; and nine grandchildren: Riley Christian, Julia Christian, Regan (Sam) Bryant, Meara (Addison) Beiter, Henry (Madison) Huisman, Isabel (Amario) Andre, Linda Beth Huisman, Knox Huisman, and Rebecca Huisman.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 1, at 11:00 am at Grace Community Church Trenton, 4355 GA-136, Trenton, GA 30752. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 pm. Gary will be laid to rest at Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga, TN, during a private family service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Covenant College Foundation. https://app.securegive.com/CovenantCollege/covenant-college/donate/category