Gary Kenneth Trietsch

Gary Kenneth Trietsch, age 75, resident of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2022. A man of strong Christian faith, he left this world knowing he would be reunited with his loved ones in the afterlife. A New Year’s Day baby, Gary was born on January 1, 1947 in Fort Worth, Texas to Marie and Raymond Trietsch. He was raised in Fort Worth on Beach Street where he threw acorns at his younger sister, Pam, and had many adventures with his visiting cousins. He attended Carter Riverside High School where he met the vibrant love of his life and his “personality”, Bonnie Bonner. Their first date at the church’s Valentine Day banquet eventually ushered in 55 years of marriage. Bonnie supported Gary’s academic pursuits by editing his Master’s thesis in civil engineering which he earned from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1974. She also encouraged his professional endeavors with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), an agency he joined at the age of 19 digging ditches. He loved our Texas highways and infrastructure and answered the call when TxDOT moved him to Austin and then to Houston, where he retired as the District Engineer of Houston in 2008. Gary’s TxDOT colleagues became his second family and he made friendships that lasted a lifetime. A believer in service before self, Gary came out of retirement to serve as Executive Director of the Harris County Toll Road Authority from 2014 to 2020. In addition to being a devoted husband to Bonnie and a committed father to his daughters, Stephanie and Shelly, he was also a proud Papaw and Great Papaw to Travis, Ray, Knox, and Ella Rose. His friends and family will miss his legendary slow drawl and quick wit. Most importantly, we will miss his quiet, but steadfast encouragement to do what is right, even when it requires us to do what is hard.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, his daughters, Stephanie and Shelly, his son-in-law and tech support, Jeff, his grandsons, Travis, Ray, and Knox, his granddaughter-in-law, Priscilla, his great-granddaughter, Ella Rose, his sister and brother-in-law, Pam and Burl, and many other family and friends.

A service and celebration of life will be held at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 14200 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX, 77079 on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 11:00 AM, followed by a private interment at Greenwood Memorial Park in Fort Worth at a later date.

Instead of flowers, if you are able and choose to do so, please consider a donation to Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Trietsch family.