1951-2011
Passed away April 23, 2011, in Sacramento, California, three days after his 60th birthday.
He helped us celebrate our class reunions many times and will be sorely missed.
See Gary’s obituary. It is also provided here:
Gary BROWN Obituary
BROWN, Gary Michael
World’s Best Truck Driver. Passed away April 23, 2011 in Sacramento, California three days after his 60th birthday. Gary was a Knight of the Road, completing more than four decades of gear jammed, eighteen-wheeled glory with only one moving violation. The lone ticket was malicious prosecution. A rookie cop in Citrus Heights stubbed Gary for ‘Failure to Yield’ after a motorist bumped the back of Brown’s trailer. Gary didn’t protest, and didn’t miss delivery. Gary was a master carpenter, adequate electrician and mediocre plumber. Friends marveled at Gary’s extensive tool collection and abused his good nature by borrowing equipment for years at a time. As a sportsman, Gary’s athletic interests ranged from bass fishing to snow-shoeing, though rarely simultaneously. Gary was a US Navy ‘Fighting Seabee’ and wore his 1970’s dixie cup hat on appropriate holidays, such as July 4th and Christmas. A student of politics and a tireless defender of former city councilman Robbie Waters, Gary was the rare Republican among Democrats, but used his superior wit, humor and verbal skills to leave his inferiors laughing. A born toast-master, Gary was in demand where speeches were needed, including the ’19th Hole’ at city golf courses, where he served as marshal. Born in San Francisco on April 20, 1951, Gary leaves loving daughter Andrea (Tom) Howard, devoted wife Corky and her children Tanya (Chris) Halsall and Jason (Shelly) Mau and sister Lynda Brown. He was the beloved ‘Grandpa Gary’ of Chase and Zack Halsall, buddy to his bi-coastal, four-legged friend, Freddie, and friends too numerous to name. He is already missed. He was a good man. A celebration of Gary’s life was held at the Elks Lodge, 6446 Riverside Boulevard on Sunday, May 29, 2011, at 2:00 PM. Arrangements by George L. Klumpp Chapel of Flowers.
