Gary O Colby

Gary Osborn Colby died on March 23, 2015. He was born July 31, 1934 in Macks Creek, MO and spent his first 13 years as Gary Von Osborn and lived with his grandparents. He was adopted by his mother’s husband, Orison Colby, in 1948 and legally changed his name. Gary graduated from Minneapolis Vocational High School and served in the US Army. He retired from Certain Teed Corp. in 1991, after 36 years, where he was an Industrial Engineer and later a Production Supervisor. He enjoyed traveling; he and LaVerne were “Snowbirds”, residing in Apache Junction, AZ, during the winters. They went on numerous cruises and traveled throughout the US. He was a member of the Wheel n’Dealers square dance club and enjoyed both Round & Square dancing. He was a member of McMurry United Methodist Church, Claycomo, MO, where he served on many committees, was the “Unofficial” photographer for the church and did the E-mail Prayer Chain. Survivors include his wife, LaVerne, of the home; two sons, Gary L. (Laurie) of Kansas City, MO and Scott D. (Donna) of Kansas City, KS; two stepdaughters, Linda K. Powell of Claycomo, MO and Dana L. Birch (Jane Wooten) of Raleigh, NC; five grandchildren, Walter (Lindsay) Powell, Suzanne (Josh) Stratton, Daniel Colby, Brittney Colby and Ryan Colby; four great grandchildren, Kaitlyn & Jonathan Stratton and Skyer & Ryader Colby. Services will be at 2:00 pm, Thursday, March 26, 2015 at White Chapel Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm, Wednesday, at the funeral home.