As I read through the memories that others have posted, the love that Gary (Papa) had for friends and family becomes abundantly clear. Almost all of the memories have common themes of 4th of July parties, love for family and putting family first, his kindness and compassion, pool parties in the summertime (with ice cream treats), and his abilities as a handyman. There is not a whole lot I can add here that has not already been said. I, like many others, remember fondly the conversations we would have regarding politics and the state of our country and Gary wasn't shy about letting anyone know where he stood on an issue.

Gary, it is hard to believe that it was 25 years ago that you gave me your daughter's hand in marriage. It's hard to remember a time that you weren't a part of my life. I truly appreciate all the things that you have done for us and we love you and will miss you greatly.

Gary was a wonderful person.  I was lucky to have him as a father-in-law.  He was soft spoken, kind, and was always willing to help you out.  He was handy and very hard working, which made him a very good person to know.  He was a man of God and a great example to me growing into a young man, husband, and father.  He led by example in his Christian life.  I know now that he is gone that I am always going to miss him.  He was a good friend and I can't wait to see him again.  

My dad was the most kind and patient man I have ever known.  He was the best dad in the world!  Growing up, we always had fun together, whether it was riding a roller coaster, or just eating ice cream and talking.  I will miss those talks with him.  Those are some of my fondest memories of dad, the times we would spend just talking, and not about anything in particular, but just talking!    

I can't imagine growing up with anyone else as my dad.  He taught me so many things, and he was such a wonderful example of what a father, husband, and friend should be.  Dad was a wonderful blessing in my life, and and the lives of so many people! 

I cherish all the time that dad spent with my family, especially my girls.  I am thankful every day that we were blessed enough to have him in our lives as long as we did. 

I miss my dad dearly, and I think about him every day.  I know he's in Heaven watching over us!

I love you, dad!

My papa was one of the best people I've ever known.  He was always so kind and talkative to everyone, especially the grandkids.  I know that I will miss him because he always made time to hang out with me whether it was on a hot day at the pool, or at a bonfire in their backyard.  Papa was always there for everyone!  

One of the best memories I have of papa was when I was younger, and we went to Silver Dollar City.  I didn't really like roller coasters, but I was feeling a little adventurous.  I was talking to papa, and he said there was one "not too crazy" roller coaster he enjoyed riding.   So, we were in line, and couldn't quite see the roller coaster yet when I started to feel a pit of dread in my stomach.  I started to get nervous, but pushed the feeling away.  When we got seated, I was excited and filled with adrenaline.  I remember the ride started to move, and then we were launched forward at a very alarming speed!  It was absolutely terrifying!  There were sharp turns, and we went upside down several times, which I do not enjoy!   I remember getting off the ride and crying because it was scary.  Papa said, "Well, I don't remember the ride being like that!"  We all laughed and had a good rest of the day at the park!

I really liked when my grandpa smiled, it was my favorite thing about him.  I had the chance to mow his yard for him, and he would always stand out on the pool deck and smile and wave at me each time I came by.  I will definitely miss his smiles and his waves very much!  I love you papa!

My papa was an amazing person!  I really enjoyed spending time with him.  I loved all the desserts and food he made, but mainly his deviled eggs!  Papa always gave us ice cream by the pool and he always kept candy around the house, to keep us stocked up on sugar! I will never forget every vacation and memory I had with him.  One of my favorite memories was that whenever we went to Silver Dollar City, he would always ride the big, tall swing ride with me (because it made everyone else motion sick)!  I miss my papa...there is no one else as special as him!

Gary,
My mind still talks to you,  My heart still looks for you.
But my soul knows you're at peace.  I miss you every 
single day.  I love you.        Barb

Papa,

I loved coming to your house to swim and when you would come and watch me play soccer. I loved going on the church hayrides with you. 

You always had fudge pops, which are my favorite. 

I love you and miss you.

Paxton

Papa,

I really liked it when we would come to your house and cook out and all the times we would come over and swim. I liked when you would drive us around on the tractor and in the wagon. You always had treats for us. I loved your chocolate cake but not as much as I love you!

Love, Katie

Dad,

Thank you for all your love and wisdom through the years. Whenever I had a question, whether how to fix something, do something or just about life in general; you were the one I called.

You always had tremendous patience, especially when teaching me how to drive! You insisted I learn how to drive a stick and never seemed to get frustrated no matter how many times I killed the engine.  That patience did not get passed on to me, thankfully I married someone with patience like you!

Thank you for being a wonderful grandfather. From the minute they walked in your door, they knew they had Papa's attention. You would get down on the floor to play with them, letting them climb all over you. Attending dance recitals, soccer games, baseball games and school functions; you always made them feel special. We can't forget the ice-cream and chocolate cakes. A sweet treat was always available at Papa's.

Thank you for being such a great example of how we should live our life. Showing kindness to others, helping those in need, following God's path and standing up for our beliefs.

I will miss our talks, especially about politics and religion, and your warm smile. I love and miss you,

Kim

Papa,

I always enjoyed coming to your house. I always had fun swimming and celebrating the 4th of July. I enjoyed learning to drive the tractor.  Thank you for coming to my baseball games. 
Your chocolate cake was the best! Even better than my mom's.

I love you and will miss you.

Peyton

Going over to Papa's and Nana's to stay the night was a lot of fun. Papa would let me stay up late to watch cartoons, and always had ice cream he would share with me. I really liked when Papa would sit and play with toys and        
Play-doh with me. I really miss Papa.

There are so many great memories Dad has given me over the years. 

As a kid, getting to stay up late with Dad on his nights off was the best thing ever! We watched everything from old westerns to the latest rated-R action movie (as long as Mom didnt find out!).

As a teenager, it was the endless hours we spent driving together, looking for yet another project car to work on. Most of the time we came home empty handed. But it didn't matter, the fun was in the time we spent talking about everything we could think of. And we always found a place to grab a burger and a shake.

As an adult, the best memories were of us in the garage, and all those hours we spent working (and joking around) with our vehicles. Every time I thought he had taught me everything there was to know, he would teach me something else. He was a true car guy though and through, and I am happy to have inherited that interest from him.

Dad,
The memories and knowledge you have given me over the years will stay with me always. Thank you for everything. I love you, and I miss you.

I really enjoyed when I would meet my Dad for lunch. I would always take the afternoon off so we didn't have to rush . Sometimes we would be there talking for over two hours. I miss you Dad.



As many others have mentioned, some of my favorite memories as a child was going to Nana & Papa's for the 4th of July celebration. I remember it seemed like the longest drive from our house and I would literally count the seconds until we arrived. Everyone had their matching Old Navy shirts to wear! Between the pool, arcade games, food, ice cream, fireworks & conversations, there was never any time for boredom. Oh, and you can't forget the endless Coca Cola collection! The firework finale was always the best and continued to get better and better each year. One year, one of the fireworks fell over and gave everyone a pretty good scare but that didn't stop the party! I wish we would have remained in touch more over the years but I will never forget the memories I do have. I'm very thankful I was able to have Christmas lunch with Nana & Papa this year. He will be missed.

Dad,  I think we all can agree that the big 4th of July gatherings were some of the best times, but it is the one on one conversations that I will cherish the most.  I always seemed to call you at the worst times.  You would be at the doctor, or picking up a prescription, but you never rushed me off the phone.  I remember one day you were trying to do something on your phone and accidentally facetimed me.  Rather than rush off the phone,  you started asking me about my day and the conversation grew from there.  We ended up talking for over an hour.   We never talked about anything in particular, just whatever came to mind.  I wish we had more time, but I know you are now watching over us all.  I love you and I will miss you.  

Gary -  You were my strength, my comfort and my confidant.  I loved
praying with you, laughing with you and walking beside you.  You were my best friend.  You made my life beautiful.  I will be forever grateful for the time God gave us together.  I cherish the many memories we created together.  What fun we had! They will live along with you in my heart forever.  I will never forget you.  I will always love you.  
Your loving wife,  Barb

In my earliest memories I always thought of Uncle Gary as the handyman of the family. I vividly remember my brother and I playing pinball in the basement and calling over Uncle Gary to fix it whenever we messed something up. Every summer he was there working the grill, cleaning the pool, fixing the house, or doing whatever task needed to be done and it always felt like he put the family first. I’ll always look up to him as a mature and collected person that brought positive energy wherever he went. 
We’ll miss Uncle Gary a lot

One of my favorite things to do when I was young was going over to Nana and Papas house for any family gathering. It was really fun swimming in the pool, playing hide and seek and throwing the football. It was also fun to see people who you hadn’t seen in a while and catch up with everyone. They also had these two arcade games in the basement of their house and my favorite one was this airplane game that Papa would always make it to where Peyton and I could play as many games as we wanted to.  Going to Papas house  was one of the most fun things I did as a child and I will always remember the fun I had with him. 

My name is Jerry Manus and probably few of you know me. I was Gary’s barber for many years and am privileged to call Gary a friend. He and I saw eye to eye on virtually everything especially politics ! We solved many problems over the years and our country would be better off if it would implement Gary’s and my solutions. He was a good man ! We will all miss him. 

So sorry to hear of Gary passing, fond memories of playing together as children. 

I enjoyed the time we had together. Especially when we had a problem to solve.  I remember the last big problem we tackled was the pool and how to cover it without the wind destroying the tarp.  After several trips to Lowes and Gary coming up with a very creative way, using materials, (we never figured out what they were used for), we came up with a system we could handled.  Gary said we should have patented the system and developed a business installing them.   We discussed in length over a Coke (I had a Doctor  Pepper) and decided we were too old and unwilling to commit to a full time job again. I think we both enjoy being retired.   Every year after that when we opened the pool we kidded each other about the business we never developed.   We have several small challenging issues throughout the years that we discussed, worked on, and solved,  but none as complicated as the pool. I will miss Gary very much.     

I will always remember the fun times on 4th of July. The fireworks displays that Gary and Jeff would do for all of us. I will also always be thankful for the friendship he showed my dad and the fun times my dad would tell us him and Gary had.

Gary was a great big brother and Christian brother , he truly lived his faith. I am so grateful Gary and his family came down to visit over the summer and we were able to go out on the boat. Gary was extremely generous and giving he taught me how to ride his motorcycle when I was 15 even though our mother did not like the idea. Gary also gave me my first car but not until he had it running perfectly, if that makes the other brothers and sisters jealous,SORRY   We love you brother you will be missed!

Gary was a great big brother! As a child growing up I looked up to Gary. He was always kind, caring and willing to help. As a teenager, when I had any problems with a car he was always the first person I called and he was there to help. I remember he was the one who introduced us kids to Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and Devils Food Cookies.    As many know Gary was a very good cook.  He made the best fudge I have ever had.  Gary was a very gracious host.  My grandson, Tristan, and I spent a few days with Gary and Barbara and enjoyed our time immensely . My birthday was during the time we were there and Gary made me a chocolate birthday cake that was absolutely wonderful!   Gary will be greatly missed, but I rejoice with him that he is in heaven enjoying his time with Jesus!

Gary was a great example of an older brother, honest and hard working. As kid I loved visiting Gary’s house it was always very comfortable and inviting. Gary and was always a great entertainer.  I thought he was rich because he always had plenty of Coke and treats on top of the fridge. I can remember when Gary threw me a college graduation party, he spared no expense and cooked T-bone steaks for everybody. I loved hearing the stories Gary had to tell of life on the farm, and the early days with Mom, Dad, and the family. 

Gary used to take me to and from work on his motorcycle. One day after a flood we drove through 2 ft of water. Gary asked me if we should go through it or go the looong way around. We decided to go for it.

All was fine until an 18 wheeler decided to pass us. We were both drenched. 

Luckily we were headed home when this happened. 


Gary was wise and fun! I have great memories of him playing with me and with the other kids. He’ll be missed. I’m so glad I had a chance to tell him I love him and how much he meant to me. 

Gary was the easiest person to be around I ever met! He always seemed to be in a good mood and to be ready with a smile. I loved talking about politics and the state of the world with him. He always had informed ideas and his own way of looking at things.  As far as I could tell, he also knew how to fix everything, too. Not only could he diagnose the problem with any machinery of any kind, as soon as he knew there was a problem, he was already fixing it. I could not have asked for a better brother-in-law, husband for my sister, or uncle for my sons. We will miss him terribly. Godspeed. 

I have a lot of fun memories growing up with Gary. We worked together on the farm and then drove trucks for dad too. I’ll never forget the time he bought a pool table for his first home that was as big as the room.  He said they’d  just use it for a dining table.  He was always laughing and had a good sense of humor.  Rest In Peace brother.

 Gary was always very happy,  you could always see a smile on his face. 
  Very gracious to me and my family when we came to visit him.  He wanted to make sure that we had a place to stay and great food to eat.   Gary was also good with the kids, making sure they were taken care of and having a good time.  

 When I moved to Texas he stored my Furniture in his basement, when his pump broke and water was getting in his basement.  Gary made sure to go and move my things so they would not get wet.  When Gary offered to help he always made good on his promises. 

I loved talking with Gary , I would call him while I was traveling for my job.  We would talk about everything  for hours, making  my time in the car  much more enjoyable. 

Gary was a great brother and I will miss him  dearly.   

I met Gary while he was working for UPS, the driver at the building I worked at.  I liked Gary so much I introduced him to my sister and I’m glad I did.  He has been a wonderful husband and father to his family and we all loved him.  The 4th of July celebration is the thing he has to be remembered the most for.  I’m not sure if he put that fireworks show on for the kids or if he just loved shooting them off.
Gary was a great guy!

Earl and I are saddened to here of Gary passing away.  He always was positive and very friendly whenever we talked with him.  We know his family and friends will miss him.  We pray that you, the family and close friends,  will receive comfort and peace after he is gone

As a kid, I remember summer vacation was not complete without a trip to Aunt Barb and Uncle Gary's house, and their pool!

Gary would normally be quietly sitting under an umbrella watching all the kids play in the pool, only chiming in when someone was getting a little too rough. One summer, I particularly remember him being excited to share with us ice cream from a homemade ice cream maker which had good enough vanilla that I still remember it today.

Gary will definitely be missed and I'll always remember summers spent at his house and how it served as a gathering place for our extended family.

My best memory of Uncle Gary is visiting every Summer for the 4th of July when I was young.

From the whole family gathering for tacos to the homemade ice cream in the Coca-Cola basement that got fancier every year, it was always a highlight of Summer vacation.

Gary used to let me light some of the fireworks and I still haven't been to a fireworks show I enjoyed more than the shows we put on. I remember one year when the shells didn't quite fit and we all had to run for it when the fireworks exploded 10 feet in the air. He never worried about it, so I knew I didn't have to either. 

I will miss listening to his stories and the easygoing happiness I felt being around someone I loved and trusted. 

Gary was a great brother who was so fun to go visit and always very accommodating.  He could cook a tremendous breakfast.  We will miss him at the farm.

OBITUARY

Gary D. Adkins

January 13, 1947 – January 13, 2021

Newcomer's Floral Hills Funeral Home

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