Gary Lynn Rapp Sr., 65, better known as “Mater”, a nickname given to him by his first grandson, Dalton, joined his heavenly family on November 14, 2019 after a long battle with Leukemia. He was born on June 23, 1954 to the late Frank and Mary Evelyn Rapp in Memphis, Tennessee. Gary spent his childhood years in Frayser, later moving to Bartlett where he spent 15 years raising his wonderful boys. His last 20 years he called Collierville home.
Gary leaves his high school sweetheart, wife of 43 years, Sheila Leslie Rapp, along with three sons that were his pride and joy – Gary Lynn Rapp Jr., William Brady Rapp, and Jacob Andrew Rapp. In addition, he was blessed with three precious grandchildren that brought him unbelievable love and joy – Dalton Alexander Goddard aka “Lightening”, Bella May Rapp aka “Papaw’s Princess”, and William Alexander Rapp aka “Papaw’s Budger and Little Buddy”. He also leaves a brother, sister, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, and many close friends behind.
Gary worked for the Bartlett Public Works Department for seven years before going to work for the City of Memphis where he retired as the Supervisor over the Parks and Heavy Equipment Department. His men loved him and continued to call and visit even after his retirement. After retiring in 2014, he couldn’t sit still, so he went to Alaska and worked for the summer. Upon returning home he went to work for Acuff Construction. Even when he was home, he would be out back tinkering or working on something!
Gary believed in giving back to the community. He was a Bartlett Reserve Officer for 16 years. However, his kind heart and respect for people caused him to only fill up one ticket book in the 16 years of service! If he had to stop you, he was going to first try to discipline you with love and wisdom, but if you were a danger to the community he enforced the due punishment. Gary was also a leader in the neighborhood as several of the citizens fought the county government for improvements to the area. Gary also did service projects for the following schools – Oak Elementary, Bolton High, Collierville High, and Houston High – enhancing a playground, building a nature reading circle, building football press box stairs, welding stadium handrails, and driving school supplies collected at Oak to another school in Florida after Hurricane Andrew.
Gary loved hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and playing football. He turned down an athletic scholarship to Ole Miss to stay home with his family and future wife. Gary coached and played on the young men’s church softball team and later coached his boys’ baseball teams. The last couple of years he enjoyed cheering on his grandson and granddaughter at their ballgames.
Gary loved God and was a member of the following churches through the years – Ardmore Baptist, Ellendale Baptist, and Bellevue Baptist.
Gary never met a stranger and made friends for a lifetime. So please join us in celebrating this wonderful man’s life on Saturday, November the 23rd at 10:00 a.m. at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens on Germantown Parkway.
