Birth date: Feb 19, 1946 Death date: Mar 5, 2017
My name is Terry Rodemerk. Gary and I have been friends for almost 40 years, through the good times and the bad. He was a talented machinist and woodworker. He loved fast motorcycles and sleek sailboats, 40 years sounds like a long time until it's over. Then you realize it was gone in an instance. You will be missed G. Sail with the wind in your hair, my friend.
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I am a granddaughter, Grandpa Gary was around for lost my child hood and when moved around away, he'd always come back for my birthday and other holidays. I remember he'd always get me gifts with Amythyst stones forgetting everytime it's the wrong birth stone but I loved it anyways. He was very funny, always interested in my life and wish I could've seen him more recently. I wrote him a Christmas card only to find out Christmas Day he couldn't drive and make it. His passing recently hurt a lot and is still touchy, I know he rests without pain and watches over us all. I love you grandpa.
Gary is my ex-husband and father of my two children, Sara and Jon. While we have not been in contact for a number of years he was a good person with a good heart who took a different road. I wish him eternal peace.
Elizabeth Walker
Gary is my brother, the last of three brothers and our departed sister. I find it difficult to share for a number of reasons. Our lives went separate ways and we have not met or spoken in nearly 15 years, since our mother passed way in 2003. In spite of our separation, Gary is of my blood and there is no denying that, and I would not want to deny that.
My love for my brother goes deep, and my concern for him never wavered over those years. One way or another I was able to get news about him, but, for his own reasons, he preferred to remain silent. So be it, accept it I have.
Gary was a very interested person, intelligent and, at times, fervent about interests and issues he was concerned with. Those who knew him best would certainly agree, and those who knew him well would know his shortcomings and would hesitate to judge him because of them.
Gary was a late in life child for our mom and dad, and he was not yet in grade school when we, his brothers and sister, had all left the household; in a way he was raised as an only child. He showed a strong personality growing up, good friends and healthy activities; served on an emergency squad while still in high school.
Shortly after his graduation from high school he joined the Navy and served as a Machinist on submarines. Sometime after his discharge he settled in Florida and, with a few brief relocations to other states, he lived and worked in Florida for the rest of his life.
There are many memories of good times that I had with Gary, and through those memories is how I will remember.
Our hearts go out to Gary's family.
In Gary's memory, my family has contacted the Arbor Day Foundation and ordered trees that will be planted in areas where drought and fire have devastated.
You are missed, brother Gary.
Love,
brother Bob
