Garry L Emler

A gathering in celebration of the life of Garry Lee Emler will be held on Friday, August 26, starting at 1:00 p.m., at Phoenix Memorial Park & Mortuary in North Phoenix. Services and testimonials will begin at 2 p.m. followed by a graveside service. To continue the celebration of Garry’s life, the family requests you join them, immediately following the graveside service, at the home of Garry’s son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Nikki Emler, 26816 N. 147th Ave., Surprise, Ariz., 85387.

Garry was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Phoenix, attending Mountain View Grade school, and then both Sunnyslope and Moon Valley High schools. Garry held various positions over the years starting as a newspaper delivery boy at age 12. As his love of all things motorized began, he took a job with friends Tom Rowe, Mark Nielsen, Kent McDaniel and Ed Kruckeberg at the Gem & Mineral Display Company just to put fuel in his motorcycle. Garry then joined the ranks of those working for his cousins Gilbert and William (Billy) Cyphert at Chemco Industries. It’s there that he met Jim Miller, and later Jim’s daughter Joan, who was both the love of his life and his very best friend. Garry and Joan married on June 30, 1979.

Through the years, Garry and Joan built a wonderful life together that centered around their love for each other, their two boys, two grandsons, and their mutual love of all things motorized, be it Trail 70s, Sand Rails, Motorhomes, Model T and Model A Fords, PT Cruisers, or any and all planes, trains and automobiles.

Garry also worked at the Garden of Eden, Servicon Systems, The Boulders Golf Resort, Palm Brook Country Club, Desert Mountain Club, and most recently at Sun City Grand’s Granite Falls Golf Course. He was also self-employed for a number of years while serving his family as a stay-at-home dad.

Garry is preceded in death by his father George Karl Emler and Cousin William (Billy) Cyphert. Garry leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Joan, two sons Eric David (Nichole) and Erin Lee (Sheridan), two grandsons James Alexander and Logan Eric, his mother (Lois Marie Hollister Emler), sister Terri, and brothers Larry and Jerry (Kathy). In addition, he leaves a host of extended family and friends who will very much feel his absence in their lives.

Over the past 30 plus years, Garry held several positions on the board of the Sun Country Model T Club. He also belonged to the Phoenix Model A Club and the Wild West-PT Cruisers Club. Garry was always willing to share knowledge and teach, even when doing so meant telling a story of how he had done it horribly wrong and what should be done instead. Often, those were the very best stories – the sort that made you laugh until you cried. Garry was also the catalyst for a small but dedicated group of sand duners. He continually kept the group wondering where on earth he was leading, and which car would wind up buried to the axles, only to discover he was simply exploring, not realizing that 15mph on soft sand is a recipe for having to dig.

Garry Lee Emler was a loving husband, father and son. Often thought of as stubborn, opinionated and set in his ways, he was also loved and respected by those who knew him well. We’ve lost a good friend and a great man.