Gary Loo Obituary

Loo
Gary Orin
Loo
October 26, 1940
December 21, 2022

Gary Orin Loo passed away December 21, 2022, after a long and incredibly full life. He died on the winter solstice, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, his dearly loved hometown from the time he was five years old. He was the middle child of three "spirited" boys (Dusty, Gary and Skip Loo), born in 1940 in Kansas City, Missouri to Miriam Baker Loo and Orin Walter Loo. His father left a job as head of lithography at Hallmark to move to the Springs, desiring a sunny and cooler climate. In 1947, with a loan from his father-in-law, Orin founded Looart Press, a greeting card company. Gary would eventually join Looart after graduating from Cheyenne Mountain schools, fulfilling a stint in the Army and graduating with a business degree from the University of Northern Colorado. During his youth, Gary proudly held many varied jobs, including running a youth summer camp in the old polo fields near his home. He was a good skier, an excellent skater and captain of the CMHS hockey team. He loved music and dancing but was most passionate about the game of golf, referring to the golf course as his "church." But whether on or off the course, having fun with his many buddies and family gave him his greatest joy.
Gary was EXTREMELY social his entire life. His circle of friends was vast, with family and friends at the heart of all his business, charitable and personal endeavors. In 1963, at Ski Broadmoor, Gary was introduced to his future wife, Jane Huenink, by one of his many life-long friends. After their first date, he told his brother, Skip, "I met the woman I want to marry!" Jane and Gary settled in the Springs where they raised two daughters, Anne and Julie, and built a fun, vibrant life for themselves, traveling, socializing and giving back to the Colorado Springs community, from which they benefited greatly.
After joining Looart Press, Gary would team up with his brother, Dusty, who was running Current Inc., a mail order company founded by their mother, Miriam. The two companies merged in 1967 under the name Current and Gary and Dusty jointly grew the business to be the third largest greeting card/publishing company in the country. They were proud of their commercial success, but equally proud of the large, creative, happy Current community born out of the two family businesses founded by their parents.
In 1986, the brothers sold Current and changed professions, opening a family investment office, High Valley Group (HVG), in downtown Colorado Springs. Gary participated in an eclectic array of investments such as a baseball stadium, fine art, water treatment kiosks, potato chip manufacturing, cancer technology, natural soda, and aerospace technology, to name a few. But High Valley Group's largest and most notable venture was in land development. Over the last 20 plus years, with management help from former Current employees at HVG and alongside La Plata Communities, High Valley Group's investment funded the successful development of land originally known as Briargate.
In addition to his personal passions and business ventures, Gary sat on and/or headed up numerous charitable and business boards. He will be long remembered for his dedication through service and giving to non-profits, with two of his favorite's being The Myron Stratton Home and Cheyenne Village. He was continually active, going to his office daily until the end. He remained passionate about business, giving back, clubs, friends, family, and the love of fine arts, food, sports, aviation, and motorsports.
Jane and Gary enjoyed their homes and gardens in both the mountain and lake settings of Colorado and Wisconsin, traveling back and forth throughout their 54 years of marriage. "Grammy" and "Gramps" loved their family and were so proud of all their achievements and endeavors, getting a big kick out of the next generations' pursuits in both small-town Elkhart Lake, WI and big-city Houston, TX. They both were very aware how blessed their lives were in so many ways. In later life, Gary took painstaking and loving care of Jane during her final years, when her health began to fail. Jane was deeply grateful for this devotion.
After Jane's passing in 2018, Gary began a close and abiding friendship with Heather Olson. It was a relationship that provided him with love, fun, care and laughter at a time he truly needed it. Gary's family is grateful to Heather for her companionship and support to Gary, especially during the long days of the Covid lockdown and as his health declined.
Gary will be fondly remembered for his outgoing nature, grit, strength, business acumen, kindness and generosity to friends and strangers. His family wishes to extend their gratitude to the many people who supported him throughout his life and enriched him in ways too numerous to mention. After Jane's passing, especially in recent months, Gary was cared for and supported by many, especially his healthcare providers, including Dr. Richard Vu and by Skip Loo, Anna Soos, Mark Sather, Theresa Perron, Daniela Genesis Becerril, Nancy Selinger and Beth Hieronymus. Thanks to all.
Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Jane H. Loo, his father and mother, Orin and Miriam Loo, and older brother, Lester "Dusty" Loo. Gary is survived by his brother, Roger "Skip" Loo, his daughters, Anne Loo (Brad Nyberg) and Julia Loo-Sutcliffe (Steve Sutcliffe), grandchildren Peter and Hanna Nyberg and Sofie and Lucy Sutcliffe, and dear friend and companion, Heather Olson, along with many close in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
A celebration of life will be held later this year at High Valley Farm, a place long dear to Gary. A date and time are still yet to be determined but will be open to all that wish to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gary's honor to the Cheyenne Village or to a charity of your choice.