Gary Richard Ashbrook

Gary Richard Ashbrook was born February 8, 1934, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Within a few days after suffering a stroke because of Parkinsons Disease, at age 89, and on April 27, 2023, he passed away peacefully at home with family nearby. Gary and his wife, Margery Diane (Piatt) were short just 27 days (about 4 weeks) of sharing 65 years of marriage when he left us on his oldest granddaughter’s 40th Birthday.

Gary dearly loved and adored his family. He is survived by his loving and heartbroken wife, Margery, and his children, daughter Cheryl, and sons Douglas and Brian (Anny). Seven grandchildren Jeramy, Christina, Stacey, Caleb (Destiny), Madison, Jake, and Samuel. Five greatgrandchildren Alyssa, Kayla, Cody, Cattlaya and Katya. Nineteen nieces and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Laura Rose (Wilcox) and William Ray Ashbrook, three brothers, Lennis, Ralph (WWII and father of three nieces) and Kenneth (WWII), a sister, JoyAnn (Hodes), the mother of nine nieces and the three nephews, and half-sister, Nova Parker, the mother of six of his nineteen nieces. Gary was five years old when his dad passed away and unfortunately, he and his family endured many struggles before and after. Gary spent seven plus years of his childhood in orphanages. At 17 he persuaded his mother to sign papers so he could join the Marine Corps.

He was extremely proud of being a Marine but after spending more than 20 years on active duty he retired in 1977. Marine Corps orders sent him to duty in both Korea and Vietnam. Among the medals and ribbons he was awarded during his Military Service were the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Korean Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 7*, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm and frame. As proud as Gary was of being a Marine, he was immensely proud of being a Police Officer in his hometown of St. Joseph, MO during a break in his military service. Gary and Margery were married during this break on Mary 24, 1958. He started as a patrol officer and when the Police Department brought in motorcycles to the Traffic Division, he was promoted to Traffic Officer, and enjoyed riding on his Harley. He found joy in being with his family more than anything. After retiring in 1977, while their three teenagers were in school, he enrolled in Palomar Junior College earning two Associate of Arts Degrees; one in Criminal Justice and one in Business Economics. Gary then accepted a position in Security at the VA Hospital in San Diego as a Police Officer. Since the family lived in Vista, CA, he applied for a position in supply and transferred to the Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach (Fallbrook Annex) where he remained until retiring again from Civil Service after 18 years. When he encountered some free moments, he looked for pleasure in photography, reading history, music, fishing and driving his truck. He especially loved traveling and living in their motorhome, which he and Margery did for almost seven years. They took several 45-to-70-day caravan trips with their military RV Group SMART. A caravan to Alaska and one to the Atlantic Provinces was exciting and enjoyable and two of the longest. In Alaska they were fortunate to see the top of Denali, experience the drive over the “Top of the World Highway,” get up close to the glaciers and see the bears in Hyder (they were in Hyder, Alaska when 9/11 happened). In the Atlantic Provinces they took a ferry with their motorhomes to St. John, leaving the motorhomes in St. John while driving in cars and taking a ferry to Labrador, spending the night there in bed and breakfast homes.

Gary was very generous, had a quick dry wit, was fun loving, enjoyed a good joke, steak, ice cream and had a challenging time passing up an offer of a beer. He did though always refer to his morning coffee as the “ambrosia of the gods.” He will be missed but will remain in our hearts and memories forever.

Interment will be at St. Joseph Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.