Gary joins father in state’s Auctioneers Hall of Fame

From Herald Staff Reports August 23, 2001

James Gary, left, recently has joined his father Ben Gary as a member of the Tennessee Auctioneers Hall of Fame.

Following in the footsteps of his father, a local Auctioneer has been inducted into the Tennessee Auctioneers Hall of Fame.

James Gary of Gary Realty & Auction in Spring Hill joined his father, Ben Gary, in the elite association with contains only 42 members.

James Gary said the exact process for making selections is top secret among existing Hall of Fame members, but criteria involves working to promote the auction system as a whole and participation in the Tennessee Auctioneers Association.

James Gary is the organization’s president-elect and has served for 12 years on the board of directors. He helped write the auctioneer’s exam and has lobbied on Capitol Hill for legislation favorable to auctioneers.

He said he was shocked to have been bestowed the honor so early in life. At 40, he is the second youngest person to ever been elected to the Hall of Fame.

Ben Gary entered the auction business 37 years ago, and his son began helping his dad in the office at the tender age of six.

James Gary said he briefly considered becoming a football coach, but deep down he always knew the auction business was for him.

“I’ve been in the business, grew up in it and stayed in it,” he said.