A MESSAGE FROM THE FAMILY

Wow - it's so hard to decide where to begin talking to you about my dad so I think I'm just going to go where my memories take me whether they be serious or silly. First of all, you should know that my dad owned more flashlights than I own shoes, and that's not an exaggeration. And batteries! My god! The man had enough batteries to get us through Armageddon! He was nothing if not eternally prepared - for any disaster big or small. My dad was meticulous. He was an early-bird-gets-the-worm sort of guy. He prioritized and organized. When we were young he took us on adventures. He threw us out into nature and allowed us to explore and get dirty. He also allowed us to take risks and to learn from our mistakes, something of such tremendous value that I only realized it once I had children of my own. My dad introduced me to CB radio lingo and Linda Rondstadt. He taught me how to shoot a gun, drive a tractor, pitch a tent and read a map. He was full of all the practical information you need to get along in life. When I was studying in France my mom would write me long letters about everything going on back home but my dad would send me a short note that said something like "Hope you're not spending all my money on croissants" and attach a hundred dollar bill.:) We used to hike the monument together quite often. It was a bonding time for the two of us. He was a great listener and gave solid advice. He was a patient and supportive father. He was quiet about his love, until he grew older, and then he told us often that he loved us. He was also the most sentimental person I have ever known. He kept an old tea-towel of his mother's on a hook in the kitchen but no one was allowed to touch it. He visited his family's graves every year in South Dakota. He made a shrine to my mother after she passed away five years ago and never took it down. My dad was enormously fond of animals and rescued his share throughout the years. Near the end of his life, as his dementia got worse, he started calling his cats his "children" and doted on them terribly. (I have inherited those doted-upon cats and they're finding life without him a bit less "doted-upon". ;)) He had a dry sense of humor. After I moved in with him I planted a garden out back and worked it every summer. One day he came out, watched me for a bit, shook his head and then said to me, quite seriously, "You know...you can buy all of that at the store". My dad was an avid rock collector and had quite an impressive rock garden. We laugh now, but, when his dementia got quite severe we would find rocks absolutely EVERYWHERE! In his pockets, shoes, in the washer, dryer, and refrigerator! He carried them everywhere he went. They gave him comfort, like an old friend. He fed the birds every morning. They waited for him and hollered to their friends once the seed was served. It was a ritual he relished. He enjoyed walking up the road and visiting with his friend, Harry, and did it almost to the end of his days, always returning with yet more rocks in his pockets. Alzheimer's slowly took away the man we knew, piece by piece, over the past few years and, then, suddenly, my dad's dementia took a turn for the worse. He forgot who we were. He forgot who *he* was. It was heart-breaking to be a witness to this incredible loss. Yet, it was a blessing to be able to be with him, and to care for him, even when he didn't know who we were anymore. He was such a gentle soul, and a beautiful human being. I will miss him dearly but I am eternally grateful that I was able to share in his journey and be there for him as he was always there for me. I have loved you dearly, dad, and I hate having to say goodbye, but I know that your soul is finally at peace. Tell mom hi when you get there and ask her why she ever thought *pink* was an appropriate color for kitchen blinds. Your favorite daughter, Stacy

OBITUARY

Garold "Gary" Leon Wilburn

Name: Dugan-Kramer Funeral Home & Crematory
Address: Scottsbluff, NE

10 September, 1942 – 5 November, 2020

IN THE CARE OF

Dugan-Kramer Funeral Home & Crematory

Garold Leon Wilburn was born Sept. 10, 1942 in Los Angeles, CA. to Leon Garold and Twyla (Lessard) Wilburn. The small family left Twyla's hometown for Leon's soon after and Gary grew up in Rapid City, S.D. where he occasionally got into some mischief. Here he cultivated his passion for motorcycles, cars and archery eventually becoming a South Dakota state archery champion in his youth. He met the love of his life - Suzanne Werner - on a blind date set up by some friends, in St. Paul, MN while training to be a mechanic. They wed shortly thereafter. After having two children in Rapid City they followed Leon to Scottsbluff where they opened Wilburn's Transmissions together. After Leon passed away Gary took over the shop and, upon his retirement, his son, Greg, took charge.

Gary was always active. He took his young family camping, hiking, snowmobiling, 4-wheeling and exploring all around Colorado and Wyoming. He was an avid amateur photographer and an enthusiastic canoer. He was an excellent marksman and shooting became his passion. In fact, Gary was an IPSC/USPSA handgun national champion, a Nebraska state IPSC/USPSA champion, a Colorado state IPSC/USPSA champion and a nationally ranked, master class sporting clays competitor. He shot in the Masters International Shooting Championship, one of his proudest achievements.

He worked hard, he played hard. He was honest to the core. Anyone who knew him knew he was diligent, organized and always prepared. He was a loving husband and a very patient father who showed his love in everything he did for his family. Dogs adored him and everywhere he went cats would seek him out.

In his later years he suffered several losses in a row - first his beloved sister, six months later, his wife, six months later, his brother-in-law. It took a toll. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's shortly thereafter and his daughter and granddaughter moved in with him the last three years of his life. During this difficult time he still expressed joy at feeding the birds, sitting outside enjoying the views, cuddling with his cats and eating a heaping bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Gary will be greatly missed as he was greatly loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents (Leon and Twyla Wilburn), his sister, Nancy Larson, his brother-in-law, Ted Larson. He is survived by his children, Stacy Wilson and Greg (wife Kelley) Wilburn and five beautiful grandchildren: Nathan and Connor Wilburn, Scout, Jesse and Maya Wilson and his two nieces of whom he was very fond, Lisa Larson and Renee Cornejo.

Gary passed away Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020 due to Covid-19. No services will be scheduled at this time due to the current health mandates that are in place. Please visit www.dugankramer.com for an online memorial tribute and leave any messages of condolences or memories here to be shared with the family.

Memorials may be given to Bluffs Shooters, PO Box 481, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 or Friends of Alzheimers/Dememtia PO Box 246 Gering, Nebraska 69341

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PALLBEARERS

Jon PeterkaCasket Bearer

Harry PullenCasket Bearer

Connor WilburnCasket Bearer

Nate WilburnCasket Bearer

Scout WilsonCasket Bearer

Jesse WilsonCasket Bearer

Chuck CarruthersHonorary Pallbearer

Chuck CawiezellHonorary Pallbearer

Mike DeBakeyHonorary Pallbearer

Mike LulowHonorary Pallbearer

Dennis HuckfeldtHonorary Pallbearer

DONATIONS

Bluffs ShootersPO Box 481, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361

Friends of Alzheimers/DementiaPO Box 246, Gering, Nebraska 69341

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