Mr. Deaver has a varied background in Christian education, Pastoral services, Medical Sales, business management and brings over 40 years of martial arts experience as he comes to Valor to teach the Self-Defense class.

Gary attended a small Bible college and worked his way through school as an orderly at the VA Hospital in Livermore. While there, he received training as a surgical technician, which launched him into the medical field, and later in medical sales. After graduating from Bible college, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Education, Gary attended San Francisco Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned a Master of Arts in Biblical Education (MABS).

While his two sons were 10 and 8, they became interested in martial arts, as did Gary. They began training in 1985 and Gary has continued training ever since. He had achieved the rank of 9th Degree Black Belt with the title of Senior Grandmaster.

Gary has conducted his own martial arts school of about 50 students, which consisted of 14 homeschoolers. He has taught self-defense for women, churches, doctor's offices, hospitals, and medical organizations.

He and his family moved from Northern California to Waco in 2019. In California, they attended and served at Valley Bible Church of Hercules. Gary taught Bible studies, spoke at various churches and served as worship leader for over 10 years. Later he was called to a pastorate at First Baptist Church of Daly City, California where he served for 3 yrs.

He has been married to his wife, Sharon, for 57 years and they hace two sons (Jon and Jared), six grandchildren and one Great Granddaughter (born July 17th, 2026).

Gary and Sharon attend Fellowship Bible Church of Waco, where Gary is involved in the Hospitality Team, H.E.L.P. (Helping, Encouraging, Loving, People), Safety Team, and serves as worship leader from time to time in the Forerunners Group (a group of seniors 50 years and over).

He is a very active member of the Baylor Singing Seniors choir and performs at several venues throughout their singing year. He loves swimming, singing and serving.