Gary Peter Meier

Gary Peter Meier was born on April 15, 1949 in Mexico City, Mexico as the first of five brothers. His parents, Matthias Sebastian and Elizabeth Charlotte (Beckman) Meier, were from German immigrant families that settled in Covington KY. His father was a historian; the family was residing in Mexico for Matt’s graduate training when Gary was born. Gary spent his childhood in Bakersfield CA, with a year in Argentina, and then attended high school in Los Altos CA where he was active in sports. He earned a baccalaureate degree from Santa Clara University. Following graduation, Gary joined the Peace Corps and was stationed for two terms in Venezuela where he relished the opportunity to help people and support communities.

Gary enjoyed travelling and took adventurous trips to Europe and Asia. After returning to the US, Gary completed an MBA. He was subsequently employed at a small firm in San Jose, California, where he used his bilingual skills to manage imports and exports from Latin America. His health eventually deteriorated, due in large part to a rare and progressive neurological disease called spinocerebellar ataxia, leading to his retirement.

In 2015, Gary moved to Colfax, Washington to be close to his brother, Pat, and sister-in-law, Kay. Gary lived in his own home in downtown Colfax where he made numerous friends despite his health challenges. He loved celebrating holidays with family and friends. Christmas was his favorite; he wore a Santa Claus hat throughout December. He also enjoyed attending the Fourth of July parade in Albion. Gary received considerable spiritual support from the St. Patrick Catholic Parish in Colfax.

Gary was generous and kind, consistently presenting gifts to family and friends on birthdays and holidays. He was instrumental in arranging a memorial service for his brother Pat in 2019. He liked interacting with people, and possessed the Meier family sense of humor. In recent years, Gary developed quite a “green thumb” and propagated house plants that he gifted to his caregivers. His journey ended peacefully at Providence Hospital in Spokane on August 3, 2024, with family present and after calls and visits from his Colfax friends.

Gary was predeceased by his parents and by three brothers, Pat, Phil, and Paul. He is survived by his brother Pepe Meier (Flagstaff AZ), sister-in-law Kay Meier (Pullman WA), and nieces, nephews, and their families. We are all thankful for the time and love that we shared, and are immensely grateful for the support provided by Gary’s caregivers and friends.