For someone who didn't want to live in Jefferson City, Gary Hemphill has served both God and his fellow man here in many ways.
Recently retired, Hemphill again has taken on the role of chairman for First Baptist Church's Community Thanksgiving meal. The church serves about 600 free meals (donations are accepted) through the annual program. About half the meals are expected to be eaten at First Baptist and half carried out or delivered.
After growing up in St. Louis and graduating from pharmacy school at the University of Missouri- Kansas City, Gary Hemphill was offered a job in Jefferson City.
He came to check out the city and thought, "No, I can't do this." It was a small town that was big on government. Neither appealed to him, and he took another job in Cape Girardeau.
But Jefferson City was his destiny. Hemphill and his wife moved here in 1983 when he took a job with Super D Drugs. Their new neighbors were members of First Baptist Church, and they joined the church in 1984.
He became an ordained deacon in 1991, shortly before First Baptist started offering a Thanksgiving meal to the community.
"We started reaching out for people who didn't have a Thanksgiving dinner, probably in 1992. It grew from the kitchen crew to a lay ministry that has touched lots of lives," Hemphill said.
But it wasn't until 1997 that Hemphill started helping with the annual event. He started with delivering the meals, then ended up chairing the event 11 times through the years.
People who come to the event have different backgrounds and ethnicities. Some are rich and some are poor. But they all have one thing in common, Hemphill said: They hunger for more than just food.
"Everybody has a story to tell, a conversation to share, be it good, be it painful," he said. "They just need it to be heard, and this is our chance to listen and give people the opportunity to feel like they belong."
The meal itself is coordinated by First Baptist chef Michael Ferguson (of Michael's Unforgettable BBQ fame). It includes turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, cranberry sauce, and homemade apple and cherry pies.
The tables will have real table cloths, napkins, centerpieces and lots of conversation, Hemphill said.
The event also features light entertainment with singers and musicians.
The meal, along with carry-outs, will be served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Deliveries will go out from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. For carry-outs, call the church ahead at 634-3603.
Preparations for the meal started in September, and it takes 65-80 volunteers to pull it off each year, Hemphill said.
During his career, Hemphill owned his own pharmacy, Medicap, on Missouri Boulevard. He also had worked for several other pharmacies, including Gerbes Super Store.
He retired in August. So far, he and his wife have focused on caring for family members as well as the death of his mother-in-law.
He also has helped with Project Homeless in October. Among other things, the event offered healthcare assessments such as HIV, pregnancy and COVID-19 testing as well as new clothes, diabetes screening and nutritional evaluations.
He's also used his expertise as a pharmacist to help provide medical services on mission trips ranging from the Dominican Republic to Honduras.
He said such trips are life-changing experiences. He's seen a woman adulterer being stoned and he's had a family remove the door to their house so he could have a flat surface to count pills and work on. He recalls seeing a 2-year-old naked boy was in a situation where he could have drowned. He and others helped the boy, and he saw the boy grow each time he returned to the Dominican Republic. The last time he went there, the boy ran to him and jumped in his arms.
He told the story to the Samaritan Center's Marilyn DeFeo, who told Hemphill: "God winks back at you."
Hemphill doesn't know exactly what he'll do in retirement, and he's not worried. He's ready to heed God's call, wherever that may lead him.