Nearly 15 years ago, Porter volunteer firefighter Gary Staley rushed into a burning building to make sure his fellow firefighters were not in harm’s way. While searching, a tank loaded with nitrous oxide exploded, fatally injuring Staley and leaving his family in grief.

Looking to honor their son, Don and Ruby Staley created the Gary Staley Memorial Fund that provides scholarships for firefighters to improve their ability to protect the health and safety of the public.

“We thought it would be a fitting thing to establish a scholarship fund in his honor,” said Don Staley, who is a member of the Gary Staley Memorial Fund Board and father of Gary Staley.  “Thus far we have done about 200 scholarships and now we’re doing this partnership with Lone Star College and we’re excited about that.”

In an effort to continue his legacy, the Staleys donated $50,000 to the Lone Star College Foundation through the Gary Staley Memorial Fund. The funds will create an endowment that provides scholarships for students entering the Fire Science program at LSC-Kingwood and LSC-Montgomery.

“We are incredibly honored by the generosity shown by Don and Ruby Staley and the board of the Memorial Fund,” said Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., LSC chancellor. “Their courage in the face of hardship is inspiring to all.”

Gary Staley joined the Porter Volunteer Fire Department in 2000 and received the Rookie of the Year Award in 2002. In all, he participated in over 300 fire calls while working full time as an accountant for Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

“This gift is incredibly moving and a wonderful way to remember Gary and the sacrifice he made,” said Nicole Robinson Gauthier, LSC Foundation executive director.

Since its inception, the Gary Staley Memorial Fund has provided more than $90,000 in grants to nearly 200 students seeking a college education.

The Lone Star College Foundation recently received a $50,000 donation from the Gary Staley Memorial Fund. The award will be used to help train LSC students studying Fire Science Technology. Pictured (left to right) are Nicole Robinson Gauthier, LSC Foundation executive director; Reo Kataoka, Gary Staley Memorial Fund Board member; Ruby Staley, Gary Staley Memorial Fund Board member and mother of Gary Staley; Dr. Katherine Persson, LSC-Kingwood president; Don Staley, Gary Staley Memorial Fund Board member and father of Gary Staley; Dr. Rebecca Riley, LSC-Montgomery president; Matt Staley, Gary Staley Memorial Fund Board member and brother of Gary Staley; Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., LSC chancellor; and Carter Johnson, Porter fire chief and Gary Staley Memorial Fund Board member.

Don and Ruby Staley created the Gary Staley Memorial Fund that provides scholarships for firefighters in honor of their son, pictured, who lost his life in the line of duty.

Founded in 1991, the Lone Star College Foundation has expanded its initial investment of $20,000 into an extensive portfolio of over $27 million. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided over $13 million in scholarships to nearly 13,000 students, as well as more than $4 million in program support. The mission of the LSC Foundation is to change lives through student scholarships and quality educational programs achieved by excellence in relationship building, fundraising and investment management. Visit LoneStar.edu/Giving for more information.

Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 99,000 students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area with an annual economic impact of $3.1 billion. LSC consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.