Gary Clinton Southern

Gary C. Southern, 74, of Snohomish, Wash. died September 11, 2015, peacefully at his home with his family by his side, after a long battle with prostate cancer. Gary was born June 7, 1941, in Seattle, Washington to Murl Southern and Mary O'Shaughnessy. Gary attended Lincoln High School. He worked hard for many years as a truck driver for Teamsters until he retired in the 90's. If you knew Gary you knew he was a funny man, he had the best sense of humor, he was quick and he was witty. He always knew how to put a smile on your face. He was known to his grandchildren as "Grandpa Gary" but others in the community quickly fell in love with the man known simply as "Grandpa Gary". He was so very proud to be "Grandpa Gary" to his three grandkids. He was also known as Papa. He was an all around big teddy bear, he was the best friend, father, grandpa, brother anyone could have ever asked for. If you knew Gary a little or a lot you were blessed to know this great man. Gary loved nascar, attending his grand-children's many sporting or school events, his mopar club, his latte's, playing the lotto and one of his favorite games was keno, he loved showing off his cars at car shows in which he won many awards, he loved working on his cars and watching them grow into his dream vehicle, watching cooking shows with his grandkids, he loved his smokes, but the thing he loved most was spending time with his friends and family. He would want everyone to remember him and smile! Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Southern; his father, Murl Southern and his mother, Mary O'Shaughnessy; and his best friend, Nash, his dog that he loved very much. Gary is survived by his daughters, Michelle "Shelley" Khorrami, Stacy, Michele; son-in-law, Simon Khorrami and Scott Adams; three grandchildren, Taylor, Austin and Zachary; his sister, Patty Loftus; brother, Rudy Southern; nephew, Doug Renfrow. A celebration of Gary's life will be held on Sunday September 27, 2015, at his home. It will be an open house from 11-4 p.m. If you knew Gary please come by and share your stories, please just come and remember the great man that we will all miss very much. Those we love don't go away They walk beside us everyday Unseen, Unheard, but always near Still loved, still missed and forever dear. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gary Southern be made to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center - and directed towards prostate.