Gary Wayne Brunson

Gary Brunson, age 83, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2024, surrounded by his family. Gary was born August 14, 1940 in Evansville, Indiana to Charles and Louise Brunson. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Jo Ann (Dilbeck) Brunson, for 53 years. He graduated from F.J. Reitz High School in 1958 where he played football under Herman Byers. He went on to play football at the collegiate level at Western Kentucky University where he earned a degree in physical education and earned a master’s degree from Indiana State University. He was a proud teacher and coach at F.J. Reitz High School. Gary became a licensed minister at Oakhill Baptist Church on December 7, 1988. He had a passion for using athletics as a means to increase, enhance, and strengthen the Body of Christ. He played an instrumental role in introducing the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) to the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation and founded Christian Athletes Ministries, a ministry to reach young athletes regionally. He previously served as a minister at Victory Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Boonville, IN and West Side Christian Church. Gary was an ambitious, joke-teller, who cared deeply about his family and their walks with Christ. He loved football, crossword puzzles, and a good chocolate chip cookie. In his free time, he enjoyed going for walks, watching sporting events, and studying God’s word in his sunroom. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Louise Brunson; beloved wife, Jo Ann Brunson; sister, Bea Lou Hendricks; and dearest dog, Toby. Gary is survived by his siblings, George Brunson, Charlene Flener (Geary) and Chuck Brunson (Carolyn); his children, Cheryl Betz (Joe), Lori Roberts (Brian) and Kirk Brunson (Wendy); his grandchildren, Matt and Courtney Lehman, Bradley Roberts, Jordan and Kiersten Chavis, Rob and Emily DiValerio, Eddie and Valerie Peterson, Michael and Lauren Stone, Joshua Betz, Cole and Hayley Sears; and great-grandchildren, Jack and Clara Lehman, Jett and Cruz Chavis, Charlotte and Olivia DiValerio, and Shae Stone. He is also survived by his special friend, Millie Knight, who is dearly beloved by the Brunson family. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at Howell General Baptist Church, 1520 Delmar Ave., Evansville, IN 47712, officiated by Rev. Terry Gamblin and Rev. Gene Backes. Burial will follow in Alexander Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may visit Monday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at Alexander West Chapel, 2100 W. Illinois St., Evansville IN, 47712, and on Tuesday from 10:00 am until service time at the church. A quote the family found in time of grievance that embodied Gary is as follows: "When you arrive in heaven, I wonder if Christ might say, “Because of you, others are here today. Want to meet them?” -Max Lucado Donations can be made online to the SW Indiana Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) by visiting My.fca.org/swinfcabanquet or by postal mail at: SW IN FCA, 1311 N. Center Road, Boonville, IN 47601. Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.