Gary Dale Simmank

Gary Dale Simmank, 64 years old, born May 12, 1958, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family on June 15, 2022, in Marble Falls after a brave 18-month battle with osteomyelitis of the skull/cervical vertebrae.

Gary is predeceased by his parents John Alvin and Else Faye (Doodie) Simmank of Austin/Spicewood; his grandson Samuel Dale Harkins of Marble Falls; his father-in-law Wiley Leavitt, and his good friend, Chris “Goody” Goodman of Marble Falls.

Gary is survived by his wife of 34 years, Tina Leavitt Simmank, his daughters LeeAnn Harkins and Valerie Goodman; respectively his sons-in-law Dusty Harkins and Casey Goodman; his grandchildren Drake Harkins, Tripp & Claire Goodman, and his great-grandson Sailor Harkins. Gary is also survived by his sister Kathy Lloyd (Robert), Kevin Simmank (Judy), his mother-in-law Carolyn Reeves Leavitt, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and many other friends & family. Gary would want everyone to know how proud he was of his family especially his two daughters and the men they chose to marry. Gary could not have asked for better men for his girls. His grandchildren meant the world to him and Gary is looking forward to reuniting with Sam and Jesus.

Gary graduated from Travis High School in 1977 where he enjoyed playing football. He also enjoyed playing coed and men's softball and dancing at Dallas Nightclub -- where he and Tina met Thanksgiving evening in 1983.

Gary’s career spanned over 40 years. He worked for Southern Union Gas Company, Austin, 1977-1995 ending his career there as a Construction & Maintenance Inspector; JC Evans Construction as a Superintendent of Energy & Telecom; the City Of Austin, Austin Energy from 2001-2020 in the Illumination Design department. There was never a car ride with the family around Austin that did not include “I designed that light system over there” or “I helped build that building right there.”

Gary had many passions including hunting, fishing, watching college football, and gambling with his good friends. Gary had a “dad” joke for every occasion, we still are not sure how he could always remember so many. He enjoyed watching his daughters, (future) sons-in-law, and grandkids play high school sports. He loved teaching his kids and grandkids all sorts of life skills and always had advice followed by a story. He would give the shirt off his back and empty his wallet to a stranger if they needed it. Gary was notorious for asking everyone, “How much money do you need?” Gary rarely met a stranger and had many, many friends in Austin and the Marble Falls area. You could be in another town, even hundreds of miles away, with Gary and he would find someone he knew at a random gas station. He also made life-long cherished friendships while living in Round Rock with too many cul-de-sac pranks to mention.

Gary had a recent conversation with his niece, Lisa Petty, and she asked him, “What is the first thing you will say to Jesus?” Gary replied, “I love you. Thank you for what you did for me so I could live.” Gary was a strong Christian and could not wait to get to Heaven to be with Jesus. He knew how beautiful and at peace he would be and we can not wait to see him again in the Kingdom.

Gary was the patriarch of the family and will leave an empty space. He will be dearly missed. Thank you to the healthcare team at Baylor Scott and White in Marble Falls and Temple for trying so hard to help Gary. We are so grateful to Century Hospice, his nurse Kassi, and especially Tracy, who is a God-sent Angel for helping take such great care of him in the last few weeks.

A visitation will be held at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home on Monday, June 20, 2022, 5:30-7:30 pm. The Funeral will be held at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 10:00 am. Burial Service to follow at Marble Falls Cemetery.

In Lieu of Flowers please consider Donating to MFYFC (Marble Falls Youth Football and Cheerleading) or MFYBSA (Marble Falls Youth Baseball Softball Assoc.) as Gary was passionate about Community Youth Sports, and loved to watch his Grandkids play.