Gary Lee
September 27, 1942 ~ April 27, 2015
Gary Wallace Lee age 72 of Plainfield died Monday, April 27, 2015 in rural Plainfield.
A private family service will be held at a later date. Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home – Olson Chapel in Nashua is in charge of arrangements.
Gary Wallace Lee was born September 27, 1942 in Charles City, Iowa the son of Floyd and Beryl (Healey) Lee. Gary graduated from Nashua High School in 1960. During his high school years, Gary was active in vocal music and sang in church, at funerals and many community social events. Gary and his father rode horses with the Chickasaw Trail Riders Club. He shared many fond memories from these years.
Gary entered the Navy in 1960 serving at Ream Field and in the helicopter bay on the USS Lexington. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy, he remained in California and worked in the Brea-Olinda Oil Fields. He returned to Nashua and married Karen Hirsch in 1964. Gary and Karen later divorced. This union was blessed by two children, Curtis and Tamara. For the past 25 years Gary has made his home with Nancy Bingham on their acreage south of Plainfield. Gary and Nancy raised four quarter horses, a donkey, a pony and two mules until Gary’s health began to fail.
Gary was an insurance salesman for a short time, but for the rest of his life he was a siding applicator sub-contracting for various Waterloo-Cedar Falls and Des Moines Home Improvement Companies making homes more beautiful and creating more tales to tell. Gary became disabled in 2001 from complications of COPD-Emphysema. He spent his days reading (3-5 books a week thanks to the Shell Rock Library) and gathering knowledge from satellite TV. Nancy will miss his intellect and companionship terribly.
Gary is survived by his son, Curtis (Beverly) Lee of Waverly; daughter Tamara Lee of Asheville, NC; grandson Shawn (Rachel) Lee of Center Point, IA; granddaughter Mallory (Travis) Bundy of Waverly; his companion Nancy Bingham of Plainfield, Nancy’s daughters and grandchildren Micki Bingham, Jacki (Rick) Schaalma, Megan, Tara, Jenna and Calvin all of Juneau, WI; sister Barbara McAlees of Mason City, and several nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Mildred Lee, and his brothers James Lee and Robert Lee.
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Thank you to those who have posted and commented on here. It is really nice to see how Dad played a roll in others lives. I will remember many things about him but his stories, his humor and goofiness will be the first things. I will miss my Dad very much and I respect and accept the choices he made at the end. I love you, Dad.
Gary was a good friend since HIgh School Days. My prayers go out to his loved ones.
Garry, one of the most knowledgeable men I know. I always looked up to him for advice on life knowing he always had very good pep-talk to give. I appreciate everything you did for from teaching me how to skin catfish with a pair of pliers to letting me use the barn to raise my cows in for a few years, and especially offering me books to read. After reading a few of your books, I understood why you had so much common knowledge. I wish could of talked to you just one more time to hear one of your pep-talks. You will be missed very much. Love, the neighbor boy- Austin
Gary Lee, the best neighbor anyone could have. We will miss you dearly. 19 yrs of waving when you drove by, stories about all your ‘Younger years’. Sharing your love for nature with my two boys, teaching them to clean fish, make Trot lines, skin animals, and even sharing books to read. Sharing your barn so two boys could learn how to raise cows and show them at the fair. The parties you let us have in your barn. You were a great role model and friend. A very independent, strong minded, caring man. Nancy was blessed when she found you. I hope you keep an eye on things down here on Bishop Ave. As I will be thinking of you up there enjoying life with no more pain. Love always, Heidi kramer
So sorry to hear of your loss. I was a classmate of Gary’s graduating in 1960 from Nashua High School & will always picture him with that same smile. He was a nice guy & fun to be around. My sincere condolences to Nancy & Gary’s family. Sincerely, Pat Strauser Nootnagel
My condolences to Gary’s family. He was a great guy. Fifty-five years ago in our high school most things were done alphabetically. For this reason we had lockers next to each other for all four years of high school. We shared many a story and lots of laughter during these short periods of togetherness! Classmate, Judy Link Chenoweth
Myself wife and children loved and cared for my father very much. I will miss my visits with him and all his knowledge and wit. To all who read this know that he ended his pain and suffering on his terms. His health had steadily declined for the past few years. My father was a strong and brave man and I have nothing but love and respect for him. I will miss you dad
Rest in peace uncle Gary , your with grandma and Grandpa , bobby and dad , you’ll be missed , love you , Jimmy
We will miss Gary and his smile & good nature & keep the memory of him in mind. Condolences to all his family & friends. From Aunt Lorraine Lee & cousin Beverly Lee.
Sorry for your loss. I was a classmate and friend of Gary’s in high school. He was always happy, gentle and willing to help anyway he could. Thank you for publishing the obituary, he had so many experiences in life. Rest In Peace Gary. Don Greene
I am so sorry Curt, Tamara, Nancy, Barb, and the rest of the family. You have my sympathy. Karen
Curt, Tammy, Shawn and Mal, My heart breaks for all of you right now. Love you!
So So Sorry Tammy and Curt and family. Jerry and I were friends with your dad for well over 58 years. We have some great memories of the great times we shared. RIP dear friend. Kathy and Jerry Jordan
I grew up living across the street from Gray and have a lot of memories from those days. Gray was always a happy go lucky guy and would alway be willing to give a helping hand. RIP Gary Leonard Zwanziger