Gary Joseph Larimore

Born July 25, 1960 in Pekin to Robert John Larimore, Sr., and Diane Frances (Kinney) Larimore, he married Jean Keller on April 28, 1979 in Pekin and Debra Kay Handegan on December 24, 1993 in Morton. He most recently married Karla Kaye (Davis) Geter on September 3, 2021 in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are five children, Morgan (Sarah) Larimore of Guffey, Colorado, Nathen (Erin Hanzok) Larimore of Florissant, Colorado, Michelle (Ryan) Knowles of Pekin, Timothy Evans of Pekin and Erin Geter of Madison, Wisconsin; five grandchildren, Maggie Larimore, Logan Larimore, Ayden Knowles, Ethan Evans, and Brayden Evans; one brother, Tom (Lori) Larimore of St. Jacob and one sister, Lisa (Doug) Chrestenson of Washington; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Robert John Larimore, Jr., and his second wife, Debra Larimore.

A 1978 graduate of Pekin Community High School, he graduated in 2011 with an associate’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Illinois Central College. He then graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2013 from the University of St. Francis with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership.

Gary worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for over 20 years, starting on the foundry floor in Mapleton, transferring through various departments, and being promoted to management along the way. During his stint in Logistics, Gary proposed that Cat establish a parts distribution center in Waco, Texas. This suggestion and his efforts to execute that plan made a significant and lasting impact on the company. A huge success, the Waco facility has been expanded several times since its opening. Gary traveled extensively for Cat, including internationally to facilities and offices in Asia and Europe. Gary retired in 2016 while serving as Professional Development Manager, heading up the management training program. In retirement he owned and operated Dirty Deeds Landscaping.

While in high school, basketball was his sport of choice, playing on the varsity team sophomore, junior, and senior years. Though offered a scholarship to play for Ole Miss, Gary’s competitive basketball career ended in high school, due to injuries to both knees. Later in life he gave back through coaching at the Pekin Union Mission and at the Boys and Girls Club of Pekin. Gary also volunteered with Junior Achievement at Willow School.

Gary was a motorcycle enthusiast and loved riding on the open road on trips with “his posse” to Colorado, Wyoming, Key West, Canada, New York, Virginia, and the Carolinas. An outdoor lover, Gary enjoyed elk hunting with his sons and fishing in Arkansas and locally. With encouragement, Gary hiked with his wife, Karla, in the Smoky Mountains, Acadia National Park in Maine, and Connemara National Park in Ireland.

As a sports spectator, Gary was a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan, closely followed the KU Jayhawks, and rooted for #88, Dale Earnhart, Jr. and then Chase Elliott in NASCAR. Gary loved live music, attending concerts ranging from intimate affairs, such as those hosted by the River City Blues Society, to rocking arena venues.

Gary also enjoyed spending time at home, maintaining an immaculate yard, gardening, “mechanicing” on his (and his friends’) various vehicles, and restoring a 1965 Chevy truck. Gary was known for smoking barbeque, particularly his pulled pork with homemade BBQ sauce… the Keller family’s secret recipe. More than once, Gary hosted a pig roast and seafood boil for family and friends. He also was known to enjoy his bourbon and beer, which he incorporated with many of his aforementioned hobbies.

A memorial visitation celebrating Gary’s life will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2025 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory, with sharing of eulogies taking place at 5 p.m. After donation of tissue for transplant or science, Gary requested cremation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boys and Girls Club, 1101 Veerman Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com.