Malvern, PA - Gary Louis Pilgrim, 85, of Malvern PA, passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Day, after a long journey with Alzheimer's Disease.

Born on November 5, 1940, in Nowata, OK, Gary grew up in Pauls Valley, OK, where he met his school sweetheart Betsy Trahern, whom he married in 1964. A job at Philadelphia National Bank brought them to the East Coast, and in 1982, Gary and three colleagues left the bank to begin their own investment firm, Pilgrim Baxter Hoyt and Greig. They built a business managing institutional pension funds, later transitioning to a focus on mutual funds.

Gary loved his family and his work, as well as Elvis, popcorn, OU football, and playing the clarinet. Throughout his adult life, he was committed to fitness and his daily jog. Retiring in 2003, he turned his attention to charitable giving, both individually and through the Pilgrim Foundation, which continues under the leadership of his daughter Suzanne. As a devout Christian and a firm believer in the American dream, his passions were education, religious liberty, and free markets. He was also known to friends and family for being generous, both financially and with his time, and was valued as a mentor and source of wisdom for many in his close circle.

Most of all, his family will remember his cheerful and optimistic demeanor, his often silly sense of humor, the stick figure doodles and clarinet tunes that entertained his children, his gentleness, and his love of his dogs. They will always cherish his model of quiet faith, and his calm and measured approach to both success and adversity. They will dearly miss his steady guidance, his kind heart, and his endless willingness to listen.

He is survived by his wife Betsy, children Suzanne (Marc) Daniel and Steven (Lauren) Pilgrim, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A private celebration of his life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in his memory to Angel's Retreat dog rescue.(www.angelsretreat.org)