Gary was born in Wichita Falls, Texas and moved to Oklahoma to be surrounded by his extended family at the age of 6. He resided mainly in Duncan, Oklahoma. It was in Duncan that he met his wife, Wanda Bishop, who he eventually married out of 12th grade and moved to Austin, Texas shortly thereafter.
At the age of 21, he joined the U.S. Marine Corp to serve his country in the Viet Nam War until 1969. He is a proud veteran who, became a Corporal and trained as a machinist. He worked mainly as mortar man but, also with the motor pool.
Once he left the military, he and Wanda started a family with a daughter, Pam in 1970 and son, James in 1973, who passed after just being a few days old due a heart defect. They were blessed with another son, John in 1975.
Gary was a devoted family man and provided for his family by working with the City of Austin at the three local power plants as a turbine mechanic until retiring in 2001. He attributed his career to the machinist training in the service, which allowed him and his family stability and the opportunity to enjoy life by making trips back to Duncan for their extended family, and many local trips to Aquarena Springs, Fiesta Texas, San Antonio Zoo and various festivals around the Austin area. Gary and Wanda always took the kids to the Austin Travis County Livestock Show & Rodeo, not for the livestock, but for the carnival. They spent a lot of time with Gary’s family in Austin going camping at Bastrop State Park, Camp Ben McCullough, Pace Bend Park and McKinney Falls State Park. Pam and John also bowled with him on a City of Austin Bowling league for few years. He always enjoyed spending holidays with his family and close friends, playing cards with friends, or just dressing up to stand in the yard to take photos for no reason other than just to do it – this was something his family did often.
He was known by his coworkers as “Bugs” and/or “Grandpa” and was known for the awful City jokes he was always coming home to tell his family. He was quite the character and was always playing and cracking jokes with his friends and family and enjoyed having a good time and a good laugh. His sarcasm and sense of humor definitely rubbed off on his children.
He was also a kind man who touched the lives of many, sometimes for a season, sometimes for a reason. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to his neighbors, friends and strangers. He did not want to see anyone in need or struggling and would always do what he could to help if he was able. Gary had his own fair share of trials and tribulations, but thanks to his family, friends and neighbors was able to overcome and conquer, so he never wanted those close to him to suffer if he could do something to help.
During the last year, Gary moved to an independent living facility where he became quite a social butterfly. Those there knew him from his Hawaiian shirts and fedoras. He was quite the domino player and played several times a week. He called himself the “reigning champion." He really enjoyed being around everyone there and all the activities that were offered. On many occasions, he boasted to his kids how he made such a good decision to move there because he is surrounded by “really caring and great people & staff”.
He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Johnson, son, John Boggs & wife, Sydra Boggs, sister Sue Southern, nephews James Southern & family, Chris Southern, Mike Bishop & family, Mark Bishop & family, Monty Bishop & family, Marty Bishop & family, and niece Jeanne Kay Large & family, along with various cousins and extended family in both Texas and Oklahoma.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Boggs, grandmother Ethel Reed and her husband Cecil Reed, his mother, Billie Foster, father James C. Boggs, and son, James G Boggs II.
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