ATLANTA —Gary Buffington, 57, executive vice president of the Industrial Distribution Association, and a long-time supporter of the distribution industry, died of cancer July 11 in Atlanta.

Gary had previously served as administrative assistant and executive vice president of the Southern Wholesalers Association and the Southern Industrial Distributors Association. His leadership facilitated the successful merger of the Central States, National and Southern Industrial Distributor Association to create I.D.A. in 1988.

Gary had more than 30 years in the distribution business following his U.S. Army service in Vietnam, where he earned a Bronze Star Medal.

He was credited with helping establish the University of Industrial Distribution, a highly-regarded education program that is now endorsed by 19 other associations. He also served on the advisory boards for industrial distribution programs at the University of Alabama, Texas A&M and the Southern College of Technology.

Jim Beckstein, president of I.D.A., described Gary as a "true gentleman" and in a release said that Gary was a "distinguished colleague who will be very much missed, leaving a legacy which will long endure."