Gary Roger Stoddard

Gary Roger Stoddard was born March 20, 1946 in Phoenix, Arizona at Good Samaritan Hospital to Philip and Maxine Stoddard. In June of 1968 he married the love of his life, Alice Perkins, recently celebrating their 58th anniversary. Wednesday, July 22, 2026 he went to his eternal home with his Lord after a five-month health struggle.

Gary's education journey was through the Madison School District, continuing at Camelback High School, where he was involved in the Spartan band as a trumpet player all four years. He attended Arizona State University completing his higher education in Electrical Engineering.

Eventually, his career evolved into computers becoming a systems analyst at several companies: Del Webb Corp., Honeywell, Bull, Good Samaritan Hospital and at retirement with Atos.Music was a huge part of his life.

For 17 plus years he sang with the Orpheus Male Chorus, alongside his father, and the Choraliers. Since high school, he and Alice sang in several church choirs at Mountain View Christian Church and Northwest Christian Church. He was the director of the choir at Paseo Verde Christian Church for seven years. Much time was spent using computer technology to arrange music for that choir. Southern gospel quartet singing filled his soul with many happy experiences. "For me, kid, there's always a band." (Harold Hill from "The Music Man") Gary and Alice were band parents for Washington High School, where their children attended. He also volunteered to announce the band's selections when they performed at football games and at band competitions. For several years thereafter he became the official announcer for all the bands at these competitions, loving the atmosphere and sound of a marching band.

Gary and Alice were huge fans of the Arizona Diamondbacks, being original season ticketholders, especially enjoying the experience of the World Series Championship in 2001.

Wrestling, football and basketball were other sports he followed.

He loved spending time with his family, teaching his grandchildren and nieces to broaden their horizons whenever he could. In retirement years he enjoyed learning about woodworking, reading books by astronauts from the moon missions, and NASA in general. Gary was always curious to learn new things.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Alice, son Craig, daughter Kristin (Steven), grandson Gavin (Jessica), granddaughter Rhiannon (Logan), grandson Philip, granddaughter Shelby, great grandson Barron, sister Janet, nieces Becca (Zachary) and Lauren (Ty), and sister-in-law Sharon. Predeceased by parents, Phil and Maxine, 4 aunts, 5 uncles and granddaughter, Chelsea. We will miss you, Boppa.

A visitation will be held at Desert Christian Fellowship, 1445 W. Northern Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021, US, on August 10, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm, followed by a funeral at the same location on August 10, 2026, from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.