The Wryes have been married more than 40 years and have lived in Audrain County for most of those years. Their crops consist of corn, soybeans and wheat. Gary has worked for FCS Financial in Mexico for more than 40 years and currently serves as vice-president. Erma has been the secretary for Audrain County Farm Bureau for 10 years.
Gary has been very involved in FFA, giving several class demonstrations on completing and understanding financial documents for Mexico and surrounding schools. He has also been involved in the 4-H organization serving as a welding instructor. He has served as a judge for the 4-H Fair and working where needed in the council and foundation. For several years, he was the one who made it possible for the 4-Hers to get their checks the same evening they sold their livestock at the livestock sale. Gary has helped many 4-H and FFA children decide what they want to do in life. He worked closely with Dale Schnarre at the Extension Center early in his career to help farmers obtain the necessary information to make a profitable operation and also helped Schnarre start this award he received Saturday night. Gary was one of the charter members of the Audrain County Agri-Business and has served on several committees for the Mexico Chamber of Commerce.
Erma has been involved in the 4-H and FFA programs as well. She has served on the Extension Council, 4-H club leader, project leader, judge for the 4-H Fair, has served on the fair board and was the first female to be president of the 4-H Foundation in Audrain County. She has also served as treasurer for the Audrain County 4-H Council and has served as chairperson of the Mexico Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Appreciation Banquet committee for 12 years. She has also served on the United Way board and served as president for 10 years for the Centralia High School Panther Booster Club.
Both Wryes have volunteered their time and services for 20 years for the Cystic-Fibrosis Hoof-a-thon Trail Ride and were instrumental in helping raise more than $1 million for the cause during that time. They also organize and chaperone a bus trip for the Audrain Agri-Business Week to the Kansas City Farm Show.
In Gary’s spare time, he loves to play golf and has recently taken up chainsaw carving making a three-foot bear and a seven-foot rabbit which reside in a special place in their house. Erma is described as an excellent cook and has cooked for and catered many meetings, wedding and funerals.
The Wryes attend Kentucky Road Christian Church in Mexico where Erma serves as organist. They have two daughters; Teresa and her husband Kirby and Amanda and her husband Jeff, and four grandchildren, Jenna, Jackson, Cooper and Carly.
