History of GSS
The following artwork was taken from an original oil-on-canvas painted by Mrs. Belvia Pare and given as a gift to her son, Gamaliel Shooting Supply President, Garon Pare, in 1990. The painting tells the history of Gamaliel Shooting Supply from its beginning in the late 60's when Garon started selling target ammo out of the trunk of his '65 Chevy.
Garon's tan '65 Chevrolet, loaded with target ammo. As Garon was getting more involved in the expensive sport of trapshooting in the late 1960's, he peddled shells out of this car to help with expenses. He taught both his boys how to shoot at an early age. The shooter pictured is Garon's older son, Geoff, who is now Vice-President/General Manager of Gamaliel Shooting Supply.
Around 1970, the Pares started selling shooting supplies out of their utility room on the carport of this house on Bugtussle Road. Garon's wife, Faye, ran this little business while Garon was working as an auto mechanic. That's Garon's younger son, Grady, with his Sunday school book in his hand. He's now a physician at the Medical Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
In 1976, the first "gun shop" was built across the road from the house with the utility room. The building is shown here after several additions. Fishing at the pond is Garon's father, Garnett Pare. "Grandaddy" always loved fishing in this pond.
This '76 Chevrolet pickup was used to deliver targets and shells to local clubs. It was the first new truck the Pares ever owned. (It's still used by G.S.S. today.) Mrs. Pare also painted a bird dog in this scene -- Garon has raised bird dogs and been an avid quail hunter for over 30 years.
Garon & Faye bought this house on Fountain Run Road in 1990. The adjacent acreage was used to build the present Gamaliel Shooting Supply.
Pictured is Gamaliel Shooting Supply at its present location, when it was built in July 1990. It has had eight additions to the building since this picture was painted. The vehicles in this scene played an important part in the growth of the business. The '68 International was G.S.S.'s first "big" truck. It was bought in 1978 to make deliveries and to use to sell shells and reloading supplies at the larger shoots. The UPS truck is shown because of its significance in G.S.S.'s mail-order business. Gamaliel Shooting Supply began shipping UPS around 1985. As the business grew, they began using additional carriers and now ship all over the U.S. and to many foreign countries. (The black Oldsmobile was Garon and Faye's personal vehicle at the time of the painting.)
Today, Gamaliel Shooting Supply employs 20 people and has 3 semi trucks that deliver all over the southeastern United States. The mail-order business has grown and now even includes sales through the internet. Faye retired December 1996. Garon is semi-retired. They still travel and work the shoots while son, Geoff, manages the business
Beliva Pare died in May of 1999. She is sadly missed by her family and friends, but her memory lives on through her paintings.
Garnett Pare ("Grandaddy") died in September of 1999.
Garon's tan '65 Chevrolet, loaded with target ammo. As Garon was getting more involved in the expensive sport of trapshooting in the late 1960's, he peddled shells out of this car to help with expenses. He taught both his boys how to shoot at an early age. The shooter pictured is Garon's older son, Geoff, who is now Vice-President/General Manager of Gamaliel Shooting Supply.
Around 1970, the Pares started selling shooting supplies out of their utility room on the carport of this house on Bugtussle Road. Garon's wife, Faye, ran this little business while Garon was working as an auto mechanic. That's Garon's younger son, Grady, with his Sunday school book in his hand. He's now a physician at the Medical Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
In 1976, the first "gun shop" was built across the road from the house with the utility room. The building is shown here after several additions. Fishing at the pond is Garon's father, Garnett Pare. "Grandaddy" always loved fishing in this pond.
This '76 Chevrolet pickup was used to deliver targets and shells to local clubs. It was the first new truck the Pares ever owned. (It's still used by G.S.S. today.) Mrs. Pare also painted a bird dog in this scene -- Garon has raised bird dogs and been an avid quail hunter for over 30 years.
Garon & Faye bought this house on Fountain Run Road in 1990. The adjacent acreage was used to build the present Gamaliel Shooting Supply.
Pictured is Gamaliel Shooting Supply at its present location, when it was built in July 1990. It has had eight additions to the building since this picture was painted. The vehicles in this scene played an important part in the growth of the business. The '68 International was G.S.S.'s first "big" truck. It was bought in 1978 to make deliveries and to use to sell shells and reloading supplies at the larger shoots. The UPS truck is shown because of its significance in G.S.S.'s mail-order business. Gamaliel Shooting Supply began shipping UPS around 1985. As the business grew, they began using additional carriers and now ship all over the U.S. and to many foreign countries. (The black Oldsmobile was Garon and Faye's personal vehicle at the time of the painting.)
Today, Gamaliel Shooting Supply employs 20 people and has 3 semi trucks that deliver all over the southeastern United States. The mail-order business has grown and now even includes sales through the internet. Faye retired December 1996. Garon is semi-retired. They still travel and work the shoots while son, Geoff, manages the business
Beliva Pare died in May of 1999. She is sadly missed by her family and friends, but her memory lives on through her paintings.
Garnett Pare ("Grandaddy") died in September of 1999.
