Gary Thomas Cheledinas

Gary was born in December 1949 in Ephrata, WA to George and Margaret (Barghaultz) Cheledinas. Throughout his childhood his family moved several times — residing in Washington, Montana, and Nevada. Gary, the eldest of six children, is remembered as an incredible big brother. From a young age, he was known for his generosity and kind heart. Gary was a lifelong learner who had an entrepreneurial mindset; he operated his own Christmas tree stand in Yakima for many years and started a hauling business with his red truck. Gary worked as a carpenter for most of his life, dedicating several years to the Alaskan pipeline. He approached everything he did with unique talent and unwavering dedication.

Throughout his life, Gary was known for his immense heart, infectious smile, and loving demeanor. He embraced life with enthusiasm and enjoyed teasing his loved ones with good-natured humor. He cherished sharing moments and inside jokes with everyone he knew.

Gary found joy in life's simple pleasures, including his daily ritual of walks around Greenlake and leisurely mornings at Starbucks with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. He cherished movies with Inge, meals with Christina, and watching sports with Daniel. He loved exploring the beauty of Washington through walks with Inge and outdoor adventures with his brothers. Gary had a genuine interest in people and their life stories, always ready to engage in conversation. A highlight for Gary was watching his children's sports games as they grew up and seeing them graduate from college. His purpose in life was to be the best father and husband, and he succeeded in this far beyond belief.

In his younger years, Gary was an avid traveler and free spirit. He was looking forward to retiring from his side hobbies and embracing travel once again with Inge, planning adventures across the US to reconnect with family and friends.

Gary lived a fulfilling life and cherished each day. Even during his 3-month hospitalization following his Leukemia diagnosis in February, he maintained a positive attitude, finding reasons to smile and be thankful each day. He fought bravely and he held deep admiration for his nurses and doctors at UW Montlake and Virginia Mason, always eager to learn about their lives outside of work.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, George, mother, Margaret, his first daughter, Natasha, brother, Mark, and many beloved Aunts and Uncles. He is survived by his wife, Inge, son, Daniel, daughter, Christina, sister, Karen, and brothers Brian, Craig, and Scott, as well as several cousins, nieces, and a nephew.

Gary had a profound love for his family and God, which he expressed through prayer and acts of kindness.

Gary will be deeply missed. He would want his memory to be celebrated by asking those who knew him to live a joyful life and to spread kindness and love in all their endeavors.