Gary Lee Gutshall

Gary Lee Gutshall, passed away on Friday January 3, 2025, at Huntsville Hospital after a short but fierce battle with AML, he was 74 years old. Gary was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania to Ralph and Alice Gutshall. He was the oldest of 9 children. After being raised on the family farmstead in Carlisle Springs, PA, he graduated high school and joined the Army. His service in the Army landed him at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. After his discharge from the Army he remained in Huntsville where he would start his family and live.

Gary’s professional career over the course of his life was spent working with various government contractors and private companies as a computer engineer, programs management engineer, or any one of several other purposely vague titles. His work allowed him to travel the far corners of the US and the world before his retirement.

Pop, Old Man, car guy, tinkerer, woodsmith, engineer, Gary was known as many things depending on where your life intersected with his. Gary spent time during his retirement years building custom cars, working with friends on their project cars, and traveling to see friends at Frog Follies Rod Run. You might find him on the woodworking side of the shop building a Christmas display, shelf, or even a wood puzzle for the grandkids. He was an avid supporter of Friends of Sharon Johnston Park where several of his passions came together. He was instrumental in establishing The Pioneer Village at the park and could often be found at many events supporting the park, including his favorite the Classic Car, Truck, and Tractor Show.

His family and friends were always welcome to stop by and see him at the house or shop, but be prepared to sit and enjoy whichever episode of Rawhide, Bonanza, The Rifleman, or other black and white spaghetti western movie that might be on at the time.

He is survived by his wife Karen Gutshall, his son Stephen Gutshall, daughter Melanie (Joe) Nicosia, and Karen's children, Christie (Quentin) Lang and Tim Tankersley; his grandchildren, Jack, Thomas, Lexi, Tyler, Michael, Sarah Beth, and Sammy; his siblings Denny Gutshall, Mark (Carolyn) Gutshall, Carolyn (Frank) Frishkorn, Vicki (Kevin) Minnick, Andrea (David) Bittendender, and Teresa (Brandon) Weary; and 9 nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Gary will be held Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Valhalla Funeral Home & Memory Gardens, 698 Winchester Rd Ne, Huntsville, Alabama 35811. Following the visitation will be the celebration of life service with military honors at 2:00 PM at Valhalla Funeral Home Chapel, 698 Winchester Rd Ne, Huntsville, Alabama 35811. Gary will be laid to rest at Valhalla Memory Gardens (weather permitting)

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to “Friends of Sharon Johnston Park” (783 Coleman Road, New Market, AL 35761).