Recently, in one of the many conversations Gary and I had, he wondered if the world had been a better place because he had been here; if he had done anything meaningful with his life.  He mused that he hadn’t accumulated great wealth, discovered a cure for a disease, or founded a successful business.  My answer was his life was indeed worthwhile and this is why.  Gary was a God-centered, honest, truly kind man.  He loved his family beyond all measure.  He had many friends whom he appreciated and cherished.  He was reliable, responsible, and trustworthy in his dealings with others.  He brought so much joy to us with his beautiful voice and his lively sense of humor.  Gary was a happy person and a pleasure to be with because of his character and because he lived a truly authentic life striving always to live to his highest sense of right.  He was definitely his own person…choosing to do what he believed correct without regard for what someone else might think.  Being a virtuous individual – in a world that often believes it’s okay to do whatever it takes to attain selfish goals at the expense of others – was definitely meaningful and significant.  His priorities and values never wavered and that makes him a strong, successful man to my way of thinking.

Gary taught me to see beauty in all things… the night sky, gardens, landscapes, sunrises and sunsets.  All these I had looked at for years without truly seeing them.  He appreciated beauty in all forms and shared his delight.  I was blessed knowing him for over sixty years and being happily married to him for the past seventeen years.  His greatest gift to me and his family was his unconditional, steadfast love.  I miss him so much, and I will never forget him.  Music often expresses true sentiment and in these two songs sung by Josh Groban– my feelings for Gary are beautifully articulated from;

“To Where You Are…”You are my forever love,
Watching me from up above
And I believe that angels breathe
And that love will live on and never leave
and from “For Always
And for always and always
We will go on beyond goodbye”

Gary made a positive difference in my life and I will forever be grateful for being his friend and wife.

~Elma Thomas