Gary Elmer Hand, age 74, of Tumwater, Washington went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. He left behind his beloved wife Andrea, his two daughters Samantha and Heather, his four grandchildren Ethan, Liland, Chloe and Erin, and his two son-in-laws Patrick and Shawn. He is met by his parents Harold and Helen, his older brother Robert, and all his loved ones who passed before him.
Gary was born to Harold and Helen Hand on November 9th, 1947 in Glendale, CA. and lived there throughout his childhood and early adult life until he joined the United States Air Force in 1967 and was relocated to serve at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, NM. After his discharge Gary returned to CA where he met his wife, Andrea Sturman. Gary and Andrea were married on January 13th, 1973 and later that year, welcomed their first daughter, Samantha, one day after Gary's 26th birthday, and completed their family with the arrival of their second daughter, Heather, three years later.
Gary was a quiet man who found joy in many things like flying planes in his early adult years and during his time in service to the Air Force. He loved still photography, gardening, cooking, spending time at the Pacific Ocean, playing guitar with his friends and for his family, and star gazing with his daughters. However, his greatest joy was his wife and family. It was important to him to ensure his wife felt the support she needed to pursue her dreams and that his daughters knew their Heavenly Father, felt their worth, and found the strength within them to be able to accomplish anything they sought after in life. Gary was also a fantastic listener and always seemed to know what needed to be said to make you feel heard and loved. The absence of his presence in our lives have left us with a hole in our hearts. We all loved him deeply and will miss him the rest of our days.
A funeral service with reception to follow for Gary will be held Saturday, January 8, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 5725 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater, Washington 98512.
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