Gary D. McCallister

Gary Dean McCallister went home to his Heavenly Father on Thursday, September 6, 2012, at the age of 64, after a long struggle with breathing issues. He was a 28 year resident of Las Vegas. The second of six boys, Gary was born on a farm in Mountain Grove, Missouri on November 21, 1947. He contracted polio as a young child, but never let that slow him down. His family later moved to Aurora, Illinois. It was there that he fell in love with his beautiful bride of nearly 42 years, Sherrie. Here they began attending Trinity United Methodist Church, which became their family. After serving the youth group, Gary felt called to the ministry. Due to failing health, Gary later retired from his position as the Trinity United Methodist Church Youth Director and Assistant to the Pastor. Always a charitable man, Gary began Society of St. Stephen, a food pantry, to help the homeless and hungry. Even after his retirement, he continued to uplift and encourage his friends and family on line through Facebook. His posts will be dearly missed in our news feeds. He is survived by his wife, Sherrie; daughter, Kalah (Matt Cawley); son, Shane; grandsons, Jacob and Sawyer Cawley; brothers, Terry, Doug, Daniel and Samuel; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Kalah; father, Willard; and brother, Marvin. Services will be at 2:00pm Thursday, September 13, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 6151 W. Charleston Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Gary's honor to Society of St. Stephen, 6151 W. Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89146. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles." (Isaiah 40:31) Gary will be sorely missed by his family and the many others whose lives he touched. Arrangements under the direction of Palm Mortuary, 7400 W. Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada.