Gary Kenneth Conrad was the only child of Marian and Kenneth Conrad. He was born October 16, 1937 in Orange, California at the home of his aunt and uncle. He passed away with his family at his side on July 9, 2018 in La Mesa, California.
He attended Roosevelt Jr. High School in San Diego and graduated from Helix High School in 1956. Gary attended California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles, California graduating in 1958. He proudly served in the United States Army Reserve being honorably discharged in 1964.
His parents Kenneth and Marian along with Gary were the owners and Funeral Directors of Conrad Lemon Grove Mortuary which opened in October 1954. His wife Donna joined the family business in 1960, following their marriage and his sons at a later date. He was very active in community organizations including Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club of Lemon Grove which he served for 29 years as Secretary, Lemon Grove Old Time Days, Lemon Grove Historical Society and the San Diego County Funeral Directors Association. Gary was involved in his sons’ activities including Vista-La Mesa Little League and other such organizations. They were members of Lemon Grove Lutheran Church and transferred to Christ Lutheran Church in La Mesa, where they were members for 35 years.
Gary was an avid reader especially of history, politics and autobiographies. He loved to travel with his family and dogs in their motorhome all over the United States especially Estes Park, Colorado and visiting family in Davenport, Nebraska. In all of the trips the dogs were always the first ones in.
He was preceded in death by his father Kenneth in 1974, his mother Marian in 2000, and his 35 year old son Gary K Conrad Jr. in 1997. Gary is survived by his wife Donna (Quandt) whom he married in 1960 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Orange, California. They would of celebrated 58 years of marriage in November. Also surviving is his son Greg of San Diego, son Grant of Rancho San Diego; daughter-in-law Linda Conrad Trulock (husband Notra Trulock) of Florida, Linda was Gary Jr.’s wife. granddaughter April and Seth Katz (great-grandchildren Dylan and Cayla) of Maryland; grandaughter Amie Coffren (great-grandchildren Caitlyn and Christiana) of Virginia and countless other relatives and friends.
VISITATION will be on Thursday, July 26, 2018 from 3 - 7 p.m. at Conrad Lemon Grove Mortuary. FUNERAL SERVICE is on Friday, July 27, 11 a.m. at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church - 8086 Broadway in Lemon Grove. Please join us for a catered reception after the service in the church hall.
CONCLUDING SERVICE AND BURIAL will be on Monday, July 30, 11 a.m., at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Santa Ana, California alongside his eldest son Gary Jr.
The Conrad family would like to thank Helenita and the Vitas Hospice staff and the staff of The Montera of La Mesa for the loving care they gave Gary this past year.
Should anyone wish to make a donation in Gary's name please consider either Canine Companions for Independence, 124 Rancho del Oro Drive, Oceanside, CA 92057 or VITAS Hospice, 9655 Granite Ridge Drive, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92123.
Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20
Gary is forever loved and will be greatly missed.
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