His wife, Catherine, and beloved friends, the White family, were by his side. He was also able to hear
the voices of family members on the phone calling to give him their love and say good bye.
Gary was born May 27, 1947, to Vestal H. Wilson and Janet G. Wilson. He grew up in Raytown, MO, and
graduated from Raytown South High School in 1965. While in junior high, Gary was elected the first
Student Mayor of Raytown in 1962 by his fellow students as part of the Young Citizens Day program. He
returned to the annual event ten years later to greet the students participating in 1972 and to tell them
that this program had stirred his interest in government. After high school graduation, Gary studied at
William Jewel College in Liberty, MO, before entering the University of Missouri at Kansas City. In 1969
Gary left college to join the United States Army and served as a public information specialist at Qui Nhon
in the Republic of Vietnam. Upon his return to the states, Gary was stationed at Fort Riley, KS, as the
Chaplain's assistant. Gary served proudly, and on June 4, 1971, was honorably discharged from the
Army. He returned to his studies at UMKC, graduating that December with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
political science. Gary went on to earn his Master of Arts degree at UMKC in administration of justice in
1980. Gary then worked for Missouri Probation and Parole and continued his career in Phoenix, working
for Maricopa County Adult Probation.
Gary loved sports and was a great athlete. He played basketball for William Jewell College and while he
was in the military. Before joining the Army, Gary played softball for the Green Apple Quick Steps and
was very proud of their 1968 City Championship. To many, Gary was known affectionately as “Whitey”
because he always wore white “Wilson” sports wrist bands. While working for Maricopa County, he
played basketball during the Police Games and played softball on his office team. Gary's basketball
hoop is still mounted above the garage Gary and Catherine’s treasured 1988 Monte Carlo calls home.
Gary was a man of faith. His mother gave him a Living Bible for Christmas in 1972. One year for Lent he
was encouraged to start something rather than giving up something. He started reading the Bible daily
and continued to do so. Gary grew up in the First Baptist Church of Raytown and was always proud of
his family's commitment to the church and its members.
Gary is survived by his wife, Catherine Cable; sister, Beverly Wilson Marriott Christopher, and husband,
Thomas, of Independence and Blue Springs, MO; nephew, Brent Marriott, and wife, Darla, of Omaha,
NE; niece, Marcie Marriott, of Independence, MO--his niece and nephew fondly remember Gary as “Mr.
Uncle Gary Sir;” great nieces, Emily Woodring, and husband, Max, of Kansas City, MO, and Ally Marriott
of Warrensburg, MO; also great nephew, Grant Pierson, of Independence, MO; and many Wilson family
members in North Carolina. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Logan Cable, of Grandview, MO,
and Alan Cable, of Lee's Summit, MO; sister-in-law, Nancy Cable Keel, and husband, Steve, of Olathe, KS; niece, Sarah Keel Christensen, and her husband, Austin, and their daughter, Kaetin, of Olathe, KS; and niece, Abby Cable, of Lee’s Summit, MO.
Catherine wanted to share a little of her and Gary’s story:
We met April 19, 1985, on a blind date. My dear friend, Kathy, married Gary's high school buddy, David
Godden. They introduced us, and we all met up at Bennigan's. Gary and I loved each other's company
and spent as much time together as we could. Gary and I decided we were ready for a change and
planned our big adventure. In January of 1986, we put most of our stuff in storage, loaded up our cars,
and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. We found the perfect furnished apartment, Gary went to work for
Maricopa County as an Adult Probation Officer, and I started a business, Medi-Aides Health Insurance
Filing and Sales. In time, Gary left Maricopa County and worked with me. We made lasting friendships,
bought our house in 1988, adopted our beloved Kitty cat, and made Arizona our home. Over the years
we enjoyed traveling back to Missouri several times a year and looked forward to others coming to
Arizona. For many years my mom and dad, a cowboy at heart, motored west with their Prowler travel
trailer in tow. And now, our story has changed. I miss Gary. I miss our life together. But I intend to
persist in being my best self with him in my heart and knowing the memories we shared are forever.
No services are planned. Memorial contributions can be sent to the Arizona Humane Society,
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