Gary Lee Moncrief

Gary L. Moncrief went to be with the Lord August 28, 2023. He was a retired Amarillo Police Officer after serving 31 years. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle.

He was born in Dumas, Texas. He was taught the values and rewards of hard work at an early age. He was a country boy at heart and loved wood working, hunting, gun and knife collecting, animals, and story-telling. He was also taught how to be a caretaker. His brother, Jerry, was born 9 ½ years later and was his tag-along. He taught him many of the things they used throughout their life. Even without the invention of today’s modern safety equipment, their father, Buster Moncrief, taught them the skill of carpentry. They survived and remained lifelong family comrades.

Gary worked at carpentry for years. On March 17, 1964, the largest earthquake hit Anchorage, Alaska. Friends of his visited on their way to work there and he followed them using his trade to help rebuild after this catastrophe. Illness with his parents brought him back to Amarillo and on October 1, 1968, he joined the Amarillo Police Department. It is hard to imagine starting Police work before a man walked on the moon or having the safety of today’s technology, but Gary did and he did it quite well. He was a member of the first Swat team, a hostage negotiator, Detective and Liaison Officer. He protected President Ford when he flew into Amarillo to make a presentation in Canyon, TX. He also protected John Glenn who came to Amarillo running for President in 1984. Gary was one of those tough guys that had a theory to rid our society of those that intended to cause harm to others. He was an outstanding Police officer. When you saw him grin and push his hair over to one side, you knew things were going to be okay. Upon retiring his quote was, “I will never, ever work on a computer in my life.” An old flip phone was good enough for him. Our family wishes to thank his fellow officers for the many stories they have shared with us. You truly lifted us up on your shoulders and carried us.

Gary and Janie enjoyed traveling and did so every chance they got. Their favorite place was a cabin in the mountains of Colorado. Another hobby they enjoyed was antique hunting in small towns. His miniature Sheltie, Sport, was a constant companion. He was rarely seen without her. Sport went to Heaven a few years back and was waiting on Gary. When he got there, she perked up and ran to him, waiting for the rest of us.

Gary was a proud family man and our monarch. He was the friend, husband, father and brother we all should strive to be. It will be hard and the bar is set high, but the memories of him will live on forever.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Lee Roy (Buster) and Loletta Moncrief and a daughter, Mandy Riley. He is survived by his loving, heartbroken wife, Janie, brother Jerry and wife Kay, daughter Stephanie Warwick and husband Michael, Robin Dawson and husband John who Gary thought of as a son, Christy Anthony and husband Russ, and a very special little girl he stepped up to help raise, granddaughter Jordan Alexander and husband Michael. Grandchildren are as follows: Ashley LeBlanc and husband Joseph, Jordan Alexander and husband Michael, McKinley Herzberger and husband Matt, Disney Callahan and husband Aiden, Quinn Anthony and wife Hannah. Great grandchildren are as follows: Christopher, River, Kendall, Brendan, Emory, Sidney, Janie and Molly. He had one nephew, Tyson Moncrief.

Please honor his memory and give to the Amarillo Police Department Benevolence fund at Amarillo Police Officers Association, PO Box 1792, Amarillo, TX 79105-1792. Please help make a difference in Amarillo.