Gary Dexter Boulware

Gary was born on April 2, 1960, in Ajo, Arizona, to Carl Sidney Boulware Sr. and Anita Joyce Patterson Boulware. He was one of five children. As a young boy, his family moved to the Maryvale area of Phoenix, where he grew up and graduated from Maryvale High School with the Class of 1978.

While attending high school, Gary met the love of his life, Joyce Amelia Mullen. The two were married on November 28, 1978, in Phoenix, Arizona, beginning a marriage filled with love, laughter, and family. Together they raised three children: Elaine, Sabrina, and Gary II.

Gary inherited his love of working with his hands from his father. As a young boy, he spent time helping his dad, who raced and worked on race cars at Manzanita Speedway, where Gary developed a lifelong passion for mechanics. He later became an accomplished HVAC technician, a career he proudly worked in for many years. Even in his free time, Gary could often be found tinkering with cars, always enjoying the challenge of fixing or improving something, and working on his families autos.

Family was the center of Gary's life. Summers were spent making treasured memories with his large extended family at Bartlett Lake and Lake Pleasant. Fishing from the boat, camping along the shore, sharing meals, telling stories around camp, and enjoying one another's company became traditions that his family will cherish forever.

Gary was a devoted Phoenix Suns fan, loved listening to Elvis Presley and classic country music, enjoyed gardening, and surprisingly found satisfaction in cleaning swimming pools. Living next door to family meant countless backyard pool parties filled with laughter, cousins, and unforgettable memories.

Those who knew Gary will remember his sarcastic sense of humor and playful teasing. He loved making people laugh, and his family often joked that his sense of humor only grew stronger after enjoying marijuana. Beneath his jokes was a deeply caring man who became an even more devoted father as the years passed. He was always ready to help his children however he could, whether offering emotional support, financial assistance, or simply being there when they needed him most.

Gary is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 48 years, Joyce Amelia Mullen Boulware; his children, Elaine and her husband, Antonio Jr., Sabrina, and Gary II and his wife, Jennifer; his cherished grandchildren, Andrew, Karina, Arianna, Angelina, Ava, Aubrey, Ariel, and Adlynn; and his great-grandchildren, Andrew Jr., Elianna, Jaime, Anthony, Sergio, Kamilla, Anya, Mateo, and one precious great-grandchild on the way.

He is also survived by his brothers, Monty and his wife, Kimberly, and Chris and his wife, Kerry.

Gary was welcomed into Heaven by his parents, Carl Sidney Boulware Sr. and Anita Joyce Patterson Boulware; his sister, Kathy; and his brother, Carl Jr.

Gary will be remembered for his quick wit, generous heart, unwavering love for his family, and the countless memories he created through the simple joys of fishing, working on cars, and spending time with those he loved. His legacy of laughter, kindness, and devotion to family will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.