Gary Gordon Demello-Wells

A graduate of Everett High School, Gary’s life was defined by music and art. In his youth, he studied tap dance and voice and began playing piano in grade school. He eventually taught piano and hosted a student recital while in high school and performed in various local plays and musicals. Following graduation, he spent a year traveling across the country with Up with People. Gary also held fond memories of his travels in Japan, where he formed several lifelong friendships.

An entrepreneur at heart, Gary’s career spanned graphics, music, restaurant operation, and food manufacturing. He founded Capital Graphics in Seattle and later opened Rose and Chet’s Diner in Seattle with his husband, Scott, naming the establishment after his maternal grandparents. Gary and Scott worked for many years at India Tree Spices in Ballard, where Gary remained until his health no longer permitted.

One of Gary’s proudest moments was the legalization of same-sex marriage. He and Scott were among the first in Snohomish County to wed, officially becoming the DeMello-Wells family on December 9, 2012.

Gary found his greatest joy in the quiet moments spent designing and cultivating his garden, where his creativity and patience brought beauty to life season after season. It reflected who he was; thoughtful, dedicated, and deeply connected to the world around him. Gary will be forever remembered and held in our hearts as a lovable, caring curmudgeon, whose warmth, humor, and steadfast presence left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Gary is predeceased by his parents, Lorraine and Gordon Wells, and stepfather John Smith and Gwen Hurst and Victoria Hurst.

Gary is survived by his beloved husband, Scott DeMello-Wells of Everett; his siblings, Debbie Wells-DeRosier (Tom) of Marysville, Kim Martinson of Oregon and sister-in-law Pamela Taber of Camano Island; 7 nieces and nephews, 15 great-nieces and nephews, and 1 great-great-niece; and his lifelong friends, Richard and Susan Webber, and Karen Klier-Guiloreza.

"To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever"

~Albus Dumbledore