Gary Lee Westrup

Gary was born on October 26, 1935 to Vincent and Mildred Westrup in Toledo, Ohio. In the summer of 1947, Gary's maternal grandparents Wayne and Marie Clark invited the family to their home in El Monte, California. Soon after arriving, Gary’s father found work opportunities were abundant (in contrast to the depressed post-war situation in the Midwest); the visit became a move and the family experienced a new beginning in California. Soon thereafter, Gary’s parents and grandparents purchased property in South San Gabriel, and began construction on a new house plus four apartments (one of which Gary's grandparents would occupy). During the construction, the family lived with Gary's grandparents. Gary, being about 12 years of age and the oldest of three children, helped with the care of his brother Richard and sister Kathy. Gary also helped his grandparents with many tasks, including taking care of the chickens, raising rabbits for meat, and shucking huge quantities of walnuts.

Upon moving to the San Gabriel Boulevard home, Gary made friends with neighborhood boys, one being Richard Minick who he met while in 7th grade. Richard’s parents owned an empty lot between their homes; Gary and Richard promptly made it their baseball field of dreams. They both loved other sports and even went on fishing trips to the High Sierras together. As told by Richard, “One memorable fishing trip was when Gary had saved enough money from selling newspapers at Beach’s Market to buy a 1952 Chevy. He had the engine overhauled new bore, new rings etc. He was told not to drive over 50mph so we went the whole trip to the Sierras going 50mph or less.” “One other memorial event was when I met his cousin Linda Roesler, she later would become my wife; we just celebrated our 60th anniversary.” Richard and Gary’s close friendship took on more meaning when, some years later, they each received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and became companions in Christ. Gary went to Potrero Heights Elementary School in South San Gabriel where he finished eighth grade in 1950. He then went to Rosemead High School where he played on the football team, graduating in 1954.

Gary's first job was selling the weekend edition of the LA Times and LA Examiner newspapers on Saturdays at Beach's Market. His second job while still in high school was pumping gas at a local gas station. All the service attendants, including Gary, wore roller skates as they carried out numerous duties for the customers, such as pumping gas, washing windows, and checking fluid levels.

Since Gary's father worked for Willys-Overland in Ohio and other family members served overseas and in other capacities during World War II, Gary sensed a duty to serve his country. Upon completing high school, Gary enlisted in the Navy. He graduated from boot camp in July 1954, his first deployment was in Kodiak, Alaska on a floating dry dock. Wanting to follow his father’s trade as an electrician, Gary chose this field of work during his tour of service.

On Gary’s first 30-day leave he returned home. Gary’s ship docked in Long Beach, California. During that leave, in September of 1955, Gary met Dorothy Matson. Dorothy had just returned from Wisconsin where she was visiting family and was planning to attend school, but instead returned home to California due to having pneumonia from the allergies of farm life. Dorothy’s family was from Wisconsin and Minnesota but the depression had brought some of the family to California in 1932. Dorothy was born on April 4, 1940 in Los Angeles, California. When Gary and Dorothy first met, they shared with each other about their families and where they came from and by the time they finished talking they felt like they knew each other. Gary asked Dorothy to meet his parents that first weekend. Gary met Dorothy’s parents the following weekend and found out that Dorothy’s dad Lester already knew Gary’s grandpa Clark through his mobile home business. Dorothy’s mom and dad immediately liked Gary. Dorothy and Gary saw each other often, except when his ship was assigned to a destination overseas; then they continued their courtship through letters. Gary found Dorothy her first job at a quilting studio where she kept busy while he was overseas. Gary and Dorothy’s families became friends during their courtship; Gary's sister Kathy and Dorothy’s sister Renee became close friends during this time.

Gary and Dorothy were married on July 6, 1957. Following Gary’s four years in the Navy, Gary worked for his father-in-law’s business, Angelus Trailer Company, where he continued his career as an electrician. He also attended Mt. San Antonio Community College where he earned an AA degree in History and Sociology. Gary considered further education to become a history teacher, but upon finding out that Dorothy and he were expecting their first child Gary resumed work at Angelus Trailer Company. At the beginning of their marriage, they lived in a mobile home that they had purchased from Angelus Trailer Company, then they rented their first little house in Pasadena, California where their firstborn, Karen, was born on February 10, 1961. Gary bought their first house in Arcadia, California where their second child Penny was born on February 18, 1963.

In August of 1969 Gary and Dorothy attended a church meeting with Gary’s brother Richard and wife Phyllis where they finally felt at home and began to see the vision of Christ and the church. Gary and Dorothy’s love for the Lord grew and they began to feel like they could add to their family. Nathan was born on June 27, 1971. Shortly after Nathan’s birth, life in the church brought them to Colorado, where they have lived since 1972. While still living in California, Gary worked for Southern California Edison, working on transformers. In Colorado Gary continued electrical work wiring new homes which he did for many years. When new housing slowed for a time, Gary worked for Continental Airlines and Christian Living Communities. Thereafter, he worked as a self-employed electrician.

The Lord and the church were everything to Gary and Dorothy, Gary had a heart for all the saints. He especially had a burden that all the young people would give themselves to the Lord for Christ and the church. After retiring he spent many hours doing practical things for the church. Gary enjoyed being built up spiritually with the brothers and this gave him the strength to help care for his family. The love of the Lord and his family is what defined him. The unconditional love he provided his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was accompanied with honest guidance. Gary/Dad/Grandpa/Great Grandpa’s unhesitating willingness to assist or be there for any family member made a proper foundation for his family.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy; three children, Karen Edmunds, Penny (Vincent) Carter, and Nathan (Lisa) Westrup; ten grandchildren (David, Jessica, Michelle, Britni, Jonathan, Kelly, Grace, Benjamin, Brayden and Owen); eleven great-grandchildren (Annie, Alekzander, Gabriel, Annebelle, Kaleb, Trenton, Cooper, Joseph, Ivaya, Lily and Raylin); brother Richard (Phyllis) and sister Kathy; a host of cousins and nieces and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by one grandson (Jeffrey, 11/8/11).

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 6:30 PM at The Church in Denver, 2180 S Leyden St., Denver, CO 80222.

A committal service for Gary will be held Monday, October 4, 2021 from 2:15 PM to 2:30 PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO 80236.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerchapelhill.com for the Westrup family.