When I think of Gary, I think fishing.  When I think of fishing, I think Gary.  The two have always gone hand in hand for me.  Some of my favorite childhood memories are spending time with Uncle Ben, Gary, and my Daddy fishing.  I recall one night in particular when the three of them took me flounder gigging.  What fun we had!  And probably the best part was going back to their home and Aunt Marilyn performing her magic in the kitchen, frying fresh fish and the best cornbread cakes that I've ever had!  When the subject of fishing comes up in conversations with friends or family, I always say "You should meet my cousin Gary, he's the most passionate and dedicated fisherman I've ever known!"  Those two words, passion and dedication, just describe Gary best for me.  I think he lived a very passionate and dedicated life.  Like many fishermen I know, Gary was a kind and gentle soul, always there to help.  I think these special qualities he possessed came from parents who loved him and allowed him to be the kind and gentle soul he was.  He will truly be missed, because he was so truly loved by so many.  I wish nothing but love and peace for this special family that I hold so dear to my heart.

Judi,
The phrase you used about Gary: "he had such an inner peace..," is really meaningful to me, because I was aware of it too. He had a quiet confidence, that made you certain he knew who he was, and wasn't going to change without a really good reason. That's why I've always said he was my rock. He was stable while I was sometimes over-emotional, and high-strung (his description). He strengthened me, and made me want to be a better person. It sounds clichéd, but it was so true. I will miss my sounding board, and my "peace-maker," but most of all, I will miss my BFF. Love you, Gary!!!

well its a few days past labor day and a emptyness has filled my heart. I usually go to wilmington for labor day. with my fiance. They were getting close. And i was getting closer to my brother. In the past 3 yrs it seems we were seeing each other allot. I made it a point to see him and Elizebeyh and Patti. They always welcomed us. And we just seem to be in good company all the time with my brother. The last big thing me and my brother did was fix the old river boat he had in the back yard for 10yrs.  We did it. Alot of work and replacing screws and springs for the tires and just working with my brother was awesome. He had a calm way of doing things. Thats rubbed off on me. And the knack for fishing.!! I got his touch. Every time that rod bends in HIS boat i get so excited and i know he wouldve to. IM riding your boat Big Brother and catching the fish!! This was just 1 of the holidays that was empty and around x-mas and thanksgiving i dont know what to do . we have allways gone to your house. Its gonna hurt.. Just when you think you got the crying under control the holidays will be bad for me and im sure for my mother and father. I pray for my mother. She hurts so bad inside. I ask god to send her peace and my father.. Holidays will never be the same Gary. Not without you!!!!!

One of the best memories I have of Gary is during my sophomore year at UNCW.  That was the year some of my friends and I decided to rent a house for the school year at Wrightsville Beach.  We enjoyed walking on the beach daily and often we would walk down to the pier.  On many of those occasions I would run into Gary, a teen-ager at the time.  I remember one Friday evening I went to the pier and happened to see Gary fishing.  We enjoyed talking for awhile and I went on back home.  The funny thing was I went back the next morning and he was still there in the same spot!  I couldn't believe he had spent the entire night fishing on the pier.  I ran into him  quite frequently that year, and I was so impressed by the fact that he had such an inner peace, something often unusual for teen-agers.  While other boys might prefer a wilder nightlife, Gary was content to listen to the waves and enjoy the quiet solitude of casting his fishing line.  Such a sweet soul...

It is now august 22nd. My heart cant seem to mend just a little. I dont think it will. EVER. I think about him everyday. Im just glad i got that old boat and fixed it up and riding on the waterway. I feel as though he there cheering me on as i real in another cat fish. I must have his touch on fishing .My fiance cathches tree limbs and roots from the bottom. But gary  is cheering him on when that rod bends!! I believe i get excited like gary would.
 I cant belive he is gone....gone... yea he is in heaven with the rest of the passing of our family members and i agree with stacy(my cousin) they ARE welcoming him with open arms ,but im sure he hates that he had to leave this earth and patti and elizabeth and mom and dad.  As things happen we cant help to thank god for yesterday and blessed to have today and hope for tomorrow. Gary is probably as upset as we are here. I know he didnt wonna go. He loved coaching,fishing,cooking out and being a husband and father and brother and a good freind to everyone. As we all can see the pages keep going. It may never stop.patti i saw the love he had for you and the love he had when Elizabeth was born. it was snowing on his day of birth dec 23rd and snowing on elizabeths  day as well dec 23rd. to share the same birthday means something. It is special!!!! How often does that happen???? really?? I speak your name i feel the wind blow. You cant see it coming but it wraps around you. I miss you soooo much. Patti? i kknow time isnt gonna never mend your broken heart. that was your soul mate. Elizabeth he LOVED you sooo much!!!!! He wanted you so bad you gave him the best birthday present ever!!!! When he came out crying."its a girl" there was snow on the ground and a very happy father!!I could go on. But I wont. Im sure i'll write again. I pray to god to help mend my moms and dads broken forever hearts and patti's and his daughter. And yes!! we wont forget our extended family. Its funny how we all came together again.  Is this God saying something.? Im sure aunt ANN is with  him and uncle jack and aunt mary Ann and uncle josh and all the grandma's and grandpa's from both sides. And all of my fathers losses through out his life and my moms. I might not be blood But i cry the same tears. Me and deana miss our BIG BROTHER!!!!!! to all.  may the wind be at your back and the sails be full.

I also don't have a lot of memories with Gary to share but I will forever remember him as the beach hottie in the picture that Sherri has.  But now that I read Stacy's post, I, too, remember the shark they caught but boy did I NOT eat that thing!!  

Gary was always so nice and so smiley.  My heart breaks for Patty and Elizabeth.  Also for Aunt Marilyn & Uncle Ben.  I can't imagine that kind of grief.   Please don't forget you have an extended family, Patty and Elizabeth, that are here for you.   Love to you all!!!!

To all those who left messages and remembrances:
Thank you from the bottom of my broken heart. There was simply NO ONE like Gary!!! The cry of my heart the day he died was, "How will I go on without you?" Though quite a few days have passed, I still feel the same, but for Elizabeth, and the family who love me I must go on. I thank God for every moment of 21 years in a truly BLESSED marriage. I have really loved the remembrances, and prayers that have been shared, and I thank you again. Jesus will continue to smile through me, but MY smile is broken.

To all who left messages, and remembrances:
Thank you from the bottom of my broken heart. There was simply NO ONE like Gary!!! The cry from my heart the day he died was, "How will I go on?" So many days later I feel the same, but I must go on for Elizabeth, and all of the family who love me. Jesus still smiles through me, but MY smile is broken. I thank God for 21 years of a BLESSED marriage, and again, thank you for all of your prayers, and thoughts.

I don't have a lot of memories with Gary to share, but I will share the few I have. Gary was almost grown by the time I came along. I do remember going to visit and sitting in his lap. I didn't get to see him much, so I was determined to sit there as much as I could. When we had the family beach trips, Gary didn't stay with us, but he and Uncle Bennie would go fishing. One time they brought back a shark and a pufferfish. That shark was sooo good and the pufferfish was so funny. Anyway, once the beach trips stopped, so did getting to see Gary. By the time I saw him next, he was older and grayer, but he didn't get any taller. 

Patti and Elizabeth, I've only met you guys a couple of times, but no matter what, you are still family. I pray that God has his hands folded around you two and is helping you through the grieving process.

Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Ben, I love you with all my heart. Parents shouldn't have to bury their children but sometimes God has other plans. Just know and trust that Gary is doing great things in heaven. I think Grandma Alice just really wanted a good birthday present for once. At least my mom and dad, along with Grandma Alice and Grandpa Oney were there to welcome Gary with open arms.

Love you all!

I find myself thinking of Gary all the time now.  Even though we didn't see each other too often before, I always loved him, and always will.  I will always remember us being kids together, and I always had the best seat in the house - right on Gary's back! :)  
Patti, Elizabeth, Deana and Christy, I will keep you all in my prayers.  Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Benny, my heart breaks for you.  I can only hope and pray you will feel better in time.  I love you all very much.

So sad to hear of Gary's passing.  He was much too young to leave us.  Now he is watching over us.  Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Benny, please know that we're thinking of you.  I wish there was something I could do for you and your families to help ease the pain of his loss.   Embrace those wonderful memories.   I smiled looking at some of his early pictures.   He reminds me so much of my Stephen...always fishing.

Love to all,
Angie

I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. May precious memories fill your heart and ease your pain.

Today is the 12th . Time heals all things. But time is slowly moving for me. 
I cant get this hurt and heavyness out of my heart. And yes ."IM CRYING" .you use to ask me me did you cry at every thing I told you from hitting a squirrel to a butterfly. with my car. You picked on me so bad cause i guess i was the sensitive one.  Patti? Elizebeth? I'm so sorry. I know i hurt but your hurt is more deep. I wish ya'll peace in time and when you go to ask WHY? just know God needed him for a reason. your special. Im sure God knew this plan and he touched you and elizebeth by making Gary an angel. He is probably trying to learn how to work those wings.! he sure had a hard time with his cell.texting and getting his daughter to show him how to work that *&# phone. I went to school last night at ITT TECH and i couldnt concentrate. Ive got a thesis due and i mainly did it for me and you  and how you loved the ocean. My thesis is "how cruise liners are polluting our waters" And i wrote about the fish and marine life it effects. Im sure you are with me on this one. I love you brother!!!!  And the best last 2-3 yrs  we got closer. I wish the last 20 we were getting closer. I cant regret. Im just gonna miss you when I get married.My first ever and Im 43.  This is one wedding i wish you wouldnt miss. But the Lord God all MIGHTY had other plans. I will set a place for you at the table. I dont care if its empty . I know you will be there in spirit. If God can put you here for a minute while i get married is all I ask for.Love you soo much.
you little sister K I T

Our dearest Gary, 
First you were our baby boy, so sweet and cuddly. Then our precious little boy, growing up, enjoying your childhood and all the things little boys do. Your dad taught you to ride a bike, play ball, fish, swim, etc. Your dad planted a tree beside our driveway on your first day of school. Your growing up years were spent there, lifelong friends were made, and your first driver's license and car!
You were taken to church and given all the faith and love possible through God's grace. You grew to be a man we were so proud of. A loving grandson to our parents, nephew to our sisters, and adoring cousin to all the other grandchildren. Loving, teasing brother to your two younger sisters.
Later you met and married the love of your life and we also grew to love her as our own. Then came your most perfect gift, your daughter, our beloved granddaughter. As your were, you raised her with love. You adored her as we all have.
Our son; your live span was oh so short, 57 years. You has so many plans for the future. We have been so blessed to have you and praise our Lord for giving you to us. You will be forever loved, cherished, and missed.
Now sweet boy, I give you back to our Lord and his son. We praise him for allowing us the great privilege to have you there 57 years. 

All our love forever, Mama and Daddy
Sleep in peace sweet son.

Thinking of you today while back at work. My heart is heavy and I miss you so much Gary. Makinzie and Jaycie are so upset that "Uncle Gary" can no longer play with them. I pray that GOD will comfort our hearts in this time of loss. I love you!

Gary. It is now Saturday. Aug 9th. I seem to cant  get my mind off patti Elizabeth and your mother and father and how deeply you have affected our lives. My heart is empty and it is so heavy. I called every number I had of yours just to hear your voice one more time. I couldn't get nothing. Its ok.. I know you are here in spirit. God gained another angel. I'm sure he brought you up to help him fish. Or maybe he needed a pinch hitter. For whatever reason  he needed you more than here obviously. Gary? Patti Loved you so much and Elizabeth  has your eyes. If I wonna see you all I have to do is look at her.You were an awesome brother and a great great father and husband. I am glad to be your sister. I'm proud to say your name. And you picking me to play on your co ed team at the beach. I was so happy to look over and see you in left field or where ever you were in the field. I feel here this is Gods playing field and I knew you were here and on my team. I cant write enough . There is so much to say of my 43 years of my life here. And how you excepted me and deana as your sisters so easy. You loved us before we got home to mom and dad. You were the best pizza maker at duffys pizza. And im sorry I didn't get to say good bye. It hurts. But you know I loved you  dearly . And I will try and move on from here. Im home but I feel so far away from you but in spirit I know you are here. EVERYONE misses you.. But still Im so sorry I didn't get to say goodbye. Or just to speak to you.. I'll quit calling your cell to hear your voice.. I will use your river boat forever. I will always have it. And I know you will be riding with me.
Your Baby sister  K I T

Gary... This is you baby sister  kit. This pic with your arm around me I will think it will always be that way. I cant put all 43 yrs of my life in this little paragragh. But holding me over the wash machine when I was little and flushing the toilet and and holding me over that to scared me but... you had my feet. I know you would never let anything happen to me except you tickle me till I almost  cried. You would say"thats what big brothers are for" I couldn't of had a better more loving and caring unselfish brother. I thank you for the all the times we had. I will miss you so much !! fire works, shrimparoo's and you just picking with me. Your words are gold and your actions are meaningful. You looked really nice and everything was beautiful just like you. I'm heart broken and I hope you will meand this  by knowing you are here even if I cant see you. I love you brother!!! I just don't know. WHY SO SOON???? But rest in peace and by the way.  D U K E !!  But I will wear your old tarheel shirt and root for them just for you!!!!
K I T ::))

To, Patty and family, Gary was a fine man and it was always a pleasure working with him in FCO, my Prayers are with you and all your family. I know he will be missed by all his family and friends.

To Gary's family, He was a fine man and a good friend. he will be missed. Rest in peace.

Your joy and love lit up the days you spent here with family and friends.  Your guiding light inspired and touched many young athletes. You gave them courage, confidence, and supported them with a gentle style.  Many may reflect on your life that you spent  creating happiness and smiles for others. God gave you a gift of love for others. You shared that with everyone, pets, and especially,to family. No one will ever know how many hearts you touched.  You will be missed, but remembered for the joy and kindness you shared.  God must be so happy with your life while you were here. You did good! Heaven has your forever light now, but your glow will linger here with our memories of you.

Patty please know that we are praying for you and the family. We hold dear the memories of Gary in our hearts.Lynwood and Trudy Evans

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

Patty and Elizabeth, Pam and my hearts go out to you. All the years we played softball together are running through my mind. I'm so glad I knew him for as long as I did. He was a brother to many of us. He will be sorely missed.

To the family of Gary Stephens my heart goes out to you.  My thoughts and prayers are with you. I was truly saddened to learn of Gary's passing.  He was a great friend of mine from the first time we met 31 years ago as new hires at GE.  I will truly miss him.

Patty & Elizabeth, I was shocked to learn about Gary's sudden passing.  I know mere words can do little to help but may you find comfort knowing that our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you and Elizabeth....Frank and Sherry Magaldino,  Hampstead, NC

Peace and serenity for your family my friend

My thoughts and prayers to Gary's family. I played softball with and against Gary for many years down at Wrightsville Beach. Great ballplayer and classy guy! Rest in Peace Gary!

To my Dear Brother Gary. I am so sorry I didn't have an opportunity to tell you good bye. To tell you how much I love you. To tell you how much you touched my life in so many special ways. I am so proud to be your sister and so blessed for the many years we had together. Your quick absence has left me empty and speechless. I can't believe you're gone. I can only find comfort in knowing GOD needed another Angel in Heaven. Your smile, kindness and genuine love of life will be greatly missed. Go rest in peace now. Tell everyone hello for me. I will love you always Gary and I'll never let you go. Your BIG sister, Deana Stephens Poston.

To My Dear Brother Gary, I'm so sorry I didn't get to tell you how much I love you or how much it meant to have you in my life. I wish I could have just one more day to tell you how proud I am to be your sister. You have been such a joy in my life amd I'm thankful for our many years together. I miss you so much Gary and my heart is broken that you're no longer here with all of us. I can only find comfort in knowing GOD needed another Angel in Heaven. You were taken away way to soon and so unexpectedly. I will hold on to you always. With All My Love, Your BIG SISTER, Deana Stephens Poston.

Patty and Elizabeth,
Know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Our Hearts are Broken. We Miss You SO Much! With Love Forever, Deana, Makinzie, Jaycie, Willis, Katelyn, Michael Grace and Bryce.

My heart goes out to the family, it was an honor to work with Gary, and to share with Gray his love for softball, his love for teaching the girls to play, his encouraging words to each of them.

OBITUARY

William Gary Stephens

23 December, 1956 – 3 August, 2014

Oleander Memorial Gardens

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