I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. We went to school thru high school.  I was a classmate of Gary's and also a friend he used to weight lift with in my family's garage.  Gary was a kind and thoughtful person who I admired.   I pray for peace & help to Gary's surviving family.  God bless.  

This is Keith Jehnke, 1981 Willowbrook HS grad. I had some classes with Gary's sister Laura (also class of 1981) and played football with Gary during the Fall 1979 season.

I did not talk with Laura a lot, but I had a few classes with her over the years and remember her as quiet, competent, conservatively dressed, and quietly nice. 

I was an offensive and defensive lineman as was Gary. So, we spent a lot of time together at practice. I remember Gary as quiet spoken. He did not waste words. When he had something to say, you wanted to hear it. He had a quirky funny sense of humor-that made me laugh-even at times when I had to hold the laugh in to not draw the attention of the coaches. He was a positive individual, always having nice things to say and bringing a great attitude. Gary was strong. Very strong. As strong as anyone else on the team. I remember the coaches would get fired up at times, and the lineman would go "hamburger"-this was a one on one blocking drill, where two lineman lined up opposite each other, and the goal was to push the other backwards several yards, out of the circle. The coach picked Frank Cavanaugh and Gary to go "hamburger". Frank was a two way starter, also very strong,  and one of the best lineman in the conference. It was an epic battle. Frank could not move Gary-at all. Gary gained some ground, but not much. Over 40 years later, I still remember the epic battle.

I have not seen or talked to Gary since high school. I can say, that if I did have a chance to see him, I would have gone out of my way to do it. I have to say I don't feel that way about many people. But, Gary was a gentle giant, that made practice better, more fun. I respected and liked him. 

 I did not have Gary in any classes, but did see him around school.  
Around school Gary was conservatively dressed, shorter hair, and quiet. Just saying hello as we passed in the halls.

I am very sorry to hear of Gary's passing. The world is a lesser place without him. Godspeed Gary


Gary, you have fought a good fight, have finished your course and have kept the faith, great is your reward.
You were a wonderful older brother.
Thank you for letting me watch reruns of Batman with you after school, and for playing Battleship and hide-and-seek with me.
I'm thankful for your caring and kind personality.
I will miss you for the rest of my life, but I know I will see you again in Heaven.
Say hi to dad for me.
Jesus Loves You.

Gary, I miss you so much. My heart breaks. 

Blake-Lamb Funeral Home

Gary MacDonald

immediate need

Death has occurred or is near

plan ahead

Pre-plan a funeral or cremation

Plan a Funeral or Cremation Default Desktop

Find Obituaries and Services

Send Flowers

sympathy and etiquette

grief library

celebrations of life

What to Say When Someone Dies

Show Your Support

Sympathy and Grief

obituary

services

memories

Obit Detail

In the care of

share to facebook

share by email

share link

Share Obituary

ideas and resources

Sympathy and Grief Mobile

OBITUARY

Gary Edward MacDonald

31 May, 1962 – 23 December, 2020

Blake-Lamb Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services