Gary Walters Obituary

Funny how time works....I was just thinking about Gary and Richard (within the last 24 hours) remembering how much fun we had growing up together and then I get this email regarding Gary's passing 4 years ago now....so glad to have this medium to celebrate the gift of life Gary was given and how well he lived it.

Will always remember you Gary, a good friend with a good heart and wonderful sense of humor. And so much more.

Some of what follows has been said before but I feel it is worth saying again.
I met Gary in the late 60´s when his family would visit my neighbor´s home. While much time has passed since we met, it´s my recollection that Gary´s father Vern, had a business relationship with my neighbor´s father and the two families were close friends as well. Both families socialized regularly allowing `the kids´ the opportunity to get to know one another and become friends.
Being the next door neighbor and not a member of either family I initially felt like I was on the outer loop of the group. There were others too, Tim and Ken, Pam and Lori, John Todd and little Jason who knew Gary and were a part of our `Band of Brothers´ (and sisters).
Gary´s wife Mel entered the picture soon after Gary and I met and although I believe she thought I was a little strange when we first met, because the first time I met her I was crouched under a drafting table for no explainable reason. The truth was she was pretty and had a commanding presence and I didn´t know who she was at first and was shy.
Back in those days Gary always had a smile for you. Life in the late 60´s wasn´t always cupcakes and cherries. Still, no matter what was going on in the moment, Gary could always come up with a way to lighten things up. Gary was smart. If there was a problem to be solved he was quick to find a solution. Gary was a natural leader. He was always willing to take the lead when decisions needed to be made.
Gary could take a joke too. One time, a bunch of us were over at my house. We were playing cards and listening to music. I decided to prank Gary just to see what he would do. I went to the refrigerator to look for `something´.
I called Gary over to the kitchen with `look what I found!´ Then I ducked down behind the open refrigerator door. When Gary came over, I stood up fast with a can of whipped cream in my hand and unloaded it right in his face! His reaction: Laugh out loud! Both of us were laughing so hard!
He immediately started wiping the whipped cream from his glasses, cheeks, forehead and ears to his mouth saying: `Ummm.this is Soooooo Goooood!
Gary and I never had a cross word between us. When Gary and Mel married and started to have a family I was a casual guest at their home. They always made me feel welcome. Shortly after they had their son Christopher my life´s journey took me in a different direction including marriage, children, and work and sometime after that Gary and Mel moved to Colorado.
Now Gary, Richard and Mel are gone and I still believe they are together in a better place.
My belief gives me some comfort yet, I´m left wishing I had found a way to have seen all three of them together just one more time.
It´s a difficult but important life lesson to learn. If you love someone tell them. No matter what life is dishing out at the time, or how contra-intuitive is might seem in the moment, it´s worth making yourself vulnerable when love is involved.
I know Gary is missed by his family and friends. Gary will also continue to be remembered as a decent, caring, loving father and friend. It was my honor to have known Gary and to have called him my friend.
May God bless you Gary and keep you always.
May you continue to Rest in Peace,
Sent With Love,
Paul

Hard to believe it's been a year since you went to that "BETER PLACE" keep your eyes open for a guy named Gregg who should be there soon and show him around. Tell everyone I said Hello and thank them for watching over those of us who are still in this place. Do they have drive in movies cause I miss the thrill of being smuggled into the Canoga Drive in Theater under the fold down back seat of a Chrysler Station Wagon. Those were the days my FRIEND. I'LL BE SEEING YOU some time but don't wait up for me it might be a while.

Just taking this moment to let family and friends of Gary know how special Gary was to me. Although Gary was a little older than me, we shared many light and happy days together in Laurel Canyon and in the Valley, memories that will never fade. All my best wishes go out to Gary's family (and to all who, like me ) miss Gary and Mel and Richard at this special time of year.

Our heart felt condolences! Gary had a such big heart! We always enjoyed seeing him and talking about life! He will truly be missed. Love and prayers from the Tucker Family

Our deep felt condolences! Gary had a giant heart! He was always so happy to see us, just as we were happy to see him and chat with him! We will truly miss him! Our hearts go out to his family! All our love and prayers to his family! The Tucker Family

Gary was my cousin although seemed like an uncle since we were 20 ???? Years apart. This is how I remember my cousin - Gary was a sweet soft spoken man that always made me feel special when I was around him. He was a calm soul but always seemed to be happy when I was around him even when I visited him at work ( a long time ago) I haven't seen him for years the last time I saw him was when I surprised him in Colorado Springs before work with my daughter Samantha when he was at rehab. He looked so good and was surprised by our visit. I really wish I could have seen him more but Thank you Jonathan for being on facebook because a couple times a year I would get to see him and how happy he was at a Football game or in Florida.. I have to say I know how much Gary loved his boys Chris, Michael and Jonathan and they were so lucky to have him as a father. I just want to say to Chris, Michael and Jonathan he is now with your mother Mel ( whom I miss so much too) which I know he missed her so much too but I also want you to know he is still here with all three of you. He will be there for you till you meet him again. He is going to watch over you and make sure you are ok TRUST me ( loosing my dad Ronnie Walters which loved Gary very much) was the hardest thing I had to ever go through in my life but even though you cant see him, hug him you can always talk to him and please do because he is listening to you always and will always be there for you even though you can't physically see him. Also, Gary was a great brother to Cathy and Richard he was the oldest and I know he always took care of them. I am sorry I can't be there in Colorado with everyone, but I do say hello to Gary every night when I say my good night prayers. Today is about celebrating his Life and I think he had a pretty good one especially being blesses with you boys. I would like to close this with a prayer. Gary, this is so hard for us the living but we or I know you are in heaven with your loved ones especially Mel, I know you are looking out for all of us especially your boys, give them the strength to get through the loss of you because I know this will be really hard on them. Thank. you for blessing us with your being and we will meet again. I love you Gary , your Cousin Brenda

I'm so honored to have known both Gary & Melodie. Two beautiful people that are now resting in peace together. God Bless their souls

Chris, Mike and Jonathon, I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of knowing your Dad and your Mom and I am grateful for that. Your Dad was a very kind and generous man and I know that you all will carry on his legacy.

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

GARY WALTERS: The BEST BROTHER IN LAW EVER.

First, let me say to Gary's children and sister; I am so sorry to hear that your father and brother and my lifelong friend Gary Walters has passed away. That said, I am relieved to know that his passing was peaceful and through my faith believe he is now united with his brother Richard and the love of his life Mel, in Heaven.
The following is a summary of my friendship with Gary and his family.
I met Gary in the late 60’s when his family would visit my neighbor’s home. While much time has passed since we met, it’s my recollection that Gary’s father Vern, had a business relationship with my neighbor’s father and the two families were close friends as well. Both families socialized regularly allowing ‘the kids’ the opportunity to get to know one another and become friends.
Being the next door neighbor and not a member of either family I initially felt like I was on the outer loop of the group. That being said, everyone, which is Robby, Jamie, Gary, Richard and Kathy accepted me like one of the family. To this day, despite the time and distance that comes with life’s choices, and confirmed to me by phone, email and WhatsApp, I still believe I retain that status for which I am grateful. There were others too, Tim and Ken, Pam and Lori, John Todd and little Jason who knew Gary and were a part of our ‘Band of Brothers’ (and sisters).
Gary’s wife Mel entered the picture soon after Gary and I met and although I believe she thought I was a little strange when we first met, she was always nice to me. Why did she think I was a little strange you ask? Because the first time I met her I was crouched under a drafting table for no explainable reason.truth was she was pretty and had a commanding presence and I didn’t know who she was and I was shy.
Back in those days Gary always had a smile for you. Life in the late 60’s wasn’t always cupcakes and cherries. Still, no matter what was going on in the moment, Gary could always come up with a way to lighten things up. Gary was smart. If there was a problem to be solved he was quick to find a solution. Gary was a natural leader. He was always willing to take the lead when decisions needed to be made.
Gary could take a joke. One time, a bunch of us were over at my house. We were playing cards and listening to music. I decided to prank Gary just to see what he would do. I went to the refrigerator to look for ‘something’. I called Gary over to the kitchen with ‘look what I found!’ Then I ducked down behind the open refrigerator door. When Gary came over, I stood up fast with a can of whipped cream in my hand and unloaded it right in his face! His reaction: Laugh out loud! Both of us were laughing so hard!
He immediately started wiping the whipped cream from his glasses, cheeks, forehead and ears to his mouth saying: ‘Ummm.this is Soooooo Goooood!
Gary and I never had a cross word between us. When Gary and Mel married and started to have a family I was a casual guest at their home. They always made me feel welcome. Shortly after they had their son Christopher my life’s journey took me in a different direction including marriage, children, and work and sometime after that Gary and Mel moved to Colorado.
Now Gary, Richard and Mel are gone and I believe together in a better place. My belief gives me some comfort yet, I’m left wishing I had found a way to have seen all three of them together just one more time. It’s a difficult but important life lesson to learn. If you love someone (and I believe they knew I loved them.( and Kathy too)) my personal experience with the loss of loved ones advises me to advise you to make sure you tell your loved ones how you feel again, and again. No matter what life is dishing out at the time, or how contra-intuitive is might seem in the moment, it’s worth making yourself vulnerable when love is involved. You’d be surprised how much good can come of it.
I know Gary Walters will be missed by his family and friends. Gary Waters will also be remembered by Paul Terry as a decent, caring, loving father and friend. It was my honor to have known Gary and to have called him my friend.
May God bless you Gary and keep you Gary, always.
May you Rest in Peace,
Sent With Love,
Paul