A Big Thank You to All ~Desert Memorial ~

Dear Family and Friends,

April 25th was a beautiful day in the Desert. It was also the day of an amazing Celebration of Gary's life.

If you were not able to attend let me help you feel as if you were there. If you were there, praise the Lord with me.

As you approached the church you were greeted by a group of young women whose lives were touched by Gary's coaching and his commitment to influencing young lives. As you got closer to the sanctuary you signed in the beautiful guestbook and were seated by several of the volleyball players.

Thank you, Debra and the Desert Sports Volleyball Club for seating, setting up tables, chairs, bringing deserts, drinks and he list goes on. What a beautiful job you did. Thank you Venus for not only picking up all the pizza but paying  for it. I cherish our friendship and you always teach me something by your widow like generosity.

Jason the music/worship Pastor opened the celebration with one of the many songs he  played with Gary. I could not help but praise the Lord as you all poured out your hearts in worship and praise.  Gary told Jason that he wanted 80% music at his service, Jason, Gary would have loved it!

Pastor Gerald Stone opened the celebration with heartfelt assurance that we would get through this devastating loss and shared from his own personal story of loss. Thank you.

Many friends and family could not make it to the service and our son Caleb was one of them. Caleb wrote a beautiful tribute to his father and our nephew Justin agreed to read Caleb's tribute . Thank you Justin your uncle would have been proud.

Music continued to be the main theme woven throughout the celebration and praise and worship being the theme.

Open mike was a beautiful time when so many of you shared what Gary meant to you. Our family enjoyed everyone of your stories, comments and tributes. 

Gary's dear friend, Bryan Jennings, Founder and Director of the surfing ministry Walking on Water, shared the gospel in a way that showed such honor and respect for the life Gary lived, giving an invitation to accept the Lord. Bryan, I know Gary would have loved it when you said, Dude". Thank you. 

As was the theme the Celebration was closed with praise and worship, Jason, your heart for the Lord and your Love for Gary was so evident. 

So many of you thanked me for having the Desert Service and I shared with you it was a very difficult to have a second service. But Gary knew how important it was for our family meaning all of you. He knew that we all needed a time of closure and a time to reflect. Thank you Gary. 

Last  but not least, pizza and desserts were served during the reception. Many of you knew how that represented Gary, how he would bring pizza to his team after a long weekend tournament, and cupcakes on birthdays.

The Lord has been good to us allowing us to be loved and surrounded not only by our childhood friends and the memories of where we grew up, he also gave us a Desert family that clearly embraced us at such a time as thins.

Lastly,

This is a devastating time for our family and we know that,it will take us years to recover from this loss. Meaning, that we will not have left Gary behind but bring him with us. Where the memories and our thankfulness for him will become a happy experience not filled with so much pain. 

Thank you for caring about me and our family. Thank you for listening, giving, and praying. Your concern comforts us and is a gift that we remain thankful for.

Blessings,Dawn