"It takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but an entire lifetime to forget them"
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Gary was born April 15, 1950. As a young man, he followed in his father's footsteps and worked as a carpenter in construction. He worked many years with his father and older brother framing houses and various types of construction. His wife, Della, has said that's why her own house has never been finished!
Gary and Della moved to Lewisville in 1972 to raise their children - Laura, Jeffrey and Jennifer. Gary's family was his priority and he was always at their events and games to encourage them to do their best. He made sure they stayed busy with school teams and activities to keep them out of trouble. His kids were the pride of his life and Gary and Della made sure they had an abundance of love.
After many years in the construction field, Gary began working for the City of Lewisville in the Parks and Recreation Department. He started as a maintenance worker but was quickly promoted to crew leader. He was great at motivating the men at work.
Gary built the toll booth at the Lake Lewisville Park and was instrumental in the construction of many other parks and buildings around the City of Lewisville. He worked with city leaders in park planning and layout of buildings and other improvements.
Gary had one of the longest coaching careers in Lewisville Football Association history at 32 years. He coached Jeffrey in the early years and continue coaching hundreds of other people's kids as if they were his own in the years to follow. He enjoyed teaching the boys the technical aspects of the game in a soft, pleasant manner. He would encourage them and critique them in a positive way. He used sports to teach a valuable life lesson that preparation is important for success.
At 49, Gary and Della became parents once again with the adoption of Travis. Gary loved teaching him sports. He also liked taking him up to the Parks Dept to visit old friends from work.
After retirement, Gary still wanted to be active with the City of Lewisville and attended Lewisville Citizen Police Academy and joined LCPAAA. As his health permitted, he was active in the Citizens on Patrol (COP) but especially in the Battle of the Badge - a charity softball tournament between the Fire and Police Departments that raises money to benefit the Denton County Children's Advocacy Center. Gary loved this event and was instrumental in helping to grow it to what it is today. His volunteer spirit was later acknowledged when he was the recipient of the Lee Crutchfield Award. Even when he was sick he met the new academy classes and welcomed them to the program.
Gary loved to dance. ...Texas Two-Step and sailing around the dance floor with Della or his two favorite girls, Laura and Jennifer. He also loved to play his guitar although that became very difficult for him.
In the last few years of his life, things changed for Gary and his family dramatically but he always tried to take his cancer in stride. He commented to a friend that he had discovered he was blessed each day...blessed if he woke up and was alive another day to spend time here on earth with his family or he would be blessed to wake up and find himself with his Savior.
Gary was gentle, soft-spoken and kindhearted. He never met a stranger and was eager to help anyone. He loved to joke and took great pleasure in befriending others. He sooo enjoyed working with and coaching the youth of Lewisville. He derived great pleasure in seeing others succeed. His untimely death on October 6, 2007 has left in huge hole in many hearts and lives.
