Gary Conrad

Mr. Gary L. Conrad, of Canton, Georgia passed away Tuesday April 11, 2017 following an extended illness. He was 72. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2017 Poole Funeral Home Chapel with Larry Westbrook officiating. Gary was born in Fresno, California April 8, 1945. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved his family, friends, traveling, scuba diving, tennis, running and golf. After graduating from Brigham Young University, he had a 35-year career in public health. He started with work in New York City as an epidemiologist, he served as a member of the team that eradicated smallpox in Bangladesh and India, provided health screenings for the Cuban Boatlift to Freedom, served as the head of the Health Department in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and wrote legislation to eliminate premarital blood testing in the State of Tennessee. Mr. Conrad was considered an expert in the early identification and treatment of HIV/AIDS and worked closely with Congress to procure funding for The Centers for Disease Control. After retiring from the CDC, he was called to serve on the Bioterrorism Task Force post 9/11. His years in retirement were filled traveling with friends, golfing and spending time with his grandchildren. His greatest love was his wife Patti of 48 years. Survivors include his wife, Patti Conrad, Canton, GA; one daughter, Kristen Warner, Woodstock, GA; one son, Rob Conrad, Kennesaw, GA; two sisters-in-law, Paula Boeglin and Carol Conrad; one brother-in-law, Tom Boeglin; six grandchildren, Drew Warner, Owen Conrad, Reed Warner, Jack Conrad, Maddy Conrad, and Brock Warner; two nieces, Katherine Boeglin and Emily Boeglin; three nephews, Kenny, Gary and Brian Conrad; Online condolence may be made to www.poolefuneralhome.net