Gary Dey follows what he calls the four P's of life - police work, politics, public relations/pharmacy and prayer.
"Most people do reading, writing and arithmetic, but I do the four P's of life," said Dey, who has been a pharmacy technician at Jefferson City Medical Group (JCMG) for nearly 16 years.
As a technician, he has become the face of the pharmacy.
"I'm the initial person you meet when you go to fill a script or if you have a question," Dey said. "I also do things like stock, check insurance, answer the phone and entertain children."
But, his duties have evolved into much more.
Patients will ask him to pray for them.
"Prayer has really made all the difference in the world to me," Dey said. "It's the root of guidance."
Dey converted from Baptist to Catholic more than 15 years ago and said it was one of the biggest changes in his life.
He began his career in law enforcement in Sedalia in the 1970s. Between 1971 and 1979, he held various roles, including deputy sheriff in Cole and Pettis counties, first ward councilman, interim chief of police and administrator of Sedalia's Department of Community Development.
He has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from Central Missouri State University and a master's of public administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
He moved to Jefferson City in 1979 to work at the Department of Agriculture.
Since then, he has been a lobbyist for the Missouri State Medical Association, Glaxo Inc., and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. He was also a senior records analyst for the Secretary of State, a community development specialist for the Department of Economic Development and a general manager for the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association.
He began at JCMG as a medical records clerk, but when the pharmacy tech position opened up, he knew he wanted to work with people.
"The best thing I like about my job is after they get well and come back and tell you how much they appreciate your compassion," Dey said. "Even if they remain ill, you develop a familial bond. I've seen people's children and children's children."
Dey and his wife, Rose, have two children and four grandchildren. He calls Rose his angel. They've been married for 25 years.
His advice for living life is forgiveness.
"Forgive those, even your enemies," Dey said. "Over the years, you have to forgive, because that lets you grow."