Gary Findley
April 03, 2016
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Service Details
Gary Findley, 73, was born February 22, 1943, to Charles and Beulah Findley in Des Moines, Iowa. He passed away at Spencer Hospital on Sunday, April 3, 2016.
Gary graduated from Colfax High School in 1961 and then joined the Navy. He lived in Mitchellville, Iowa most of his life. He was employed with the Sheet Metal Union Local 45 and later worked for Stetson Building Products. He left Stetson’s and moved to Gillett Grove, Iowa. While enjoying his retirement there, he worked in the summers for Clay County Roads. He was also elected Mayor of Gillett Grove and served in that capacity for 8 years. Every person commenting on Gary said he left that town far better than he found it. Gary was a skilled gardener and a great cook. He enjoyed fishing, riding his Harley and collecting Native American artifacts. His latest passion was polishing and cruising in his convertible Jaguar. Devotion and the love he showed his grandkids was an enduring joy in his life.
Gary is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (Jim) Swearngin; grandsons, Bryce and Addison Swearngin; sister, Patti Underwood; sister-in-law, Patty Findley and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Grant Findley and grandson, Jacob Swearngin.
Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at the Mitchellville Funeral Home, 303 Center Street, Mitchellville, Iowa 50169. The family will welcome visitors from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.at the funeral home. Family requests that any condolences or memories of Gary be shared on Hamilton’s website; www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Memorial contributions can be made to the family in loving memory of Gary.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Harlan Hanson
04/27/2016
When Gary worked for Stetson's he helped service our account. We enjoyed working with Gary, he was always happy and willing to do what it took to get the job done. We missed him when he left the industry.
Barbara Briggie-Smith
04/15/2016
I grew up spending time with my cousins Patty, Gary, and Grant, and would see them during major holidays, sharing many meals together at "the kids' card table." Gary was the oldest of the three cousins and I remember him as being on the quiet and reserved side as a youth, but making up for that once he became an adult. I will remember Gary's wonderful sense of humor and how he liked to tease his mother, my Aunt Beulah. At family gatherings he was always ready with a good story, a smile, and a laugh. I remember thinking he had adopted his father's way of speaking, and would nod his head in the same way when acknowledging something you said. Gary will be missed by those whose lives he touched, and I'm thankful he was a part of mine.
Di Findley
04/13/2016
One thing that so many of us share in our remembrance of Gary is that he could make us laugh uncontrollably. He was a meticulous gardener and would spend hours lining up perfect rows, and be annoyed by my crooked rows. I'm glad for the time I had with Gary and for the love and admiration he had for Jennifer, Jim, Bryce, Adda, and Bailey, too. I'm grateful for the fleeting "butterfly kisses" he leaves on our hearts. May he now witness the Great White Buffalo.
Sue M. Koenig
04/12/2016
I met Gary when he moved to Gillett Grove where I served as Postmaster. Gary and I hit it off rite away with our interests in the Native American culture. We would share our collections and talk about them for hours. Oh yes the stories, thank God for memories cuz I can laugh out loud and smile thinking of them! Gary was a very special person in my life and I will miss him dearly! My thoughts and prayers for Garys family and friends! R.I.P. my friend until we meet again.
As always Sue
Jon Findley
04/12/2016
My thoughts are with Gary's family and friends during this hard time. I will always remember the good times at family reunions and gatherings when the cousins got to be together.
Patty Underwood
04/11/2016
Gary was a great brother. We'd talk on the phone for 2 hours, getting updates on everyone and everything. When we were growing up, he mad me laugh so hard my sides would hurt, and he never stopped entertaining me.
Mom took Gary, Grant, and me to the Historical Building every year when we were kids. We were fascinated with all the Native American beads, artifacts, etc. I think that's where both of my brothers developed their love for the Indian Culture. It was good that they both enjoyed that very same thing and spent so much time together.
Gary's faith was very strong. He was baptized in the Christian Church, but later he loved the faith of the Indians, that very deep gratitude and respect for nature and for our God who created it all. Gary enjoyed life to the fullest every day and was happy to be a veteran. When he learned that he was ill, he told me that it was okay and that he'd had a fulfilling life. Good words to hear, but I sure miss him
Shirley {Schmitt} Mellor
04/09/2016
My Sympathy goes out to Gary's Family. We grew up in the same farm neighborhood and I have many memories of those days, also we graduated together from Colfax High School with the Class of 1961. RIP Gary
Doyle Engebretson
04/08/2016
My Sympathy to the Family of Gary,I have recently worked on many projects for him in the last several yrs.He was a Great Guy to work for ,and always had a smile and a joke to tell.He will be missed by all who knew him.RIP Gary.