No matter how reclusive we are the internet will find us in the end. Gary was that reclusive. He was born in the ‘30’s, never married, never had kids. He was a devout Christian that actually worked hard to live up to the Bible’s teachings. Growing up in the 70’s we were not well off and lived in a trailer park on Douglas blvd in OKC. Gary, a bachelor that worked at TAFB also lived there. And I am personally better for it. He was everyone’s uncle. If you needed to build a go cart, go see Gary. If your shoes were falling apart go see Gary. If you parents were fighting go see Gary. He taught me how to weld even though I sucked (still suck) at it. I learned to cut a straight line. I learned to hammer nails. He helped me build a robot out of an oil can and conduit. When I got older he helped me build a knife from a car spring and my first firing gun. It was a replica of a 45 cap and ball blackpowder weapon from way back. It shot, once. Along the way he stood back and watched you fail. He said we became better at everything because of the challenges we needed to overcome. And, back in those days kids fought. He’d stand there and watch the fight until there was no more point to it. Then, he broke it up and made you shake hands and admit you were still friends. His favorite activity seemed to be going to a pancake house and drinking coffee for hours just talking. We did a lot of that once I started drinking coffee. On Halloween no one ate candy until Gary checked it with his metal detector. When I came back from Boot Camp he was proud of me. When I introduced him to my future wife he heartily approved. When I introduced him to my infant daughter he beamed as if she were his grandchild. We lost touch when he moved to Saint Joseph Mo to care for his mom. No internet then, and as the years went by his name never came up when I tried to look him up. Then, after reading about Kathleen’s new store I looked him up and there he was. The internet found his obituary from not quite a year ago. Today, sadly, a neighborhood bachelor who was every kids best friend would be suspected of horrible things. We’ve lost something there. Gary was an example of what a fine human being ought to be. I’ve missed him over the years and I am grateful for having the best adult (not parent) best friend a kid could have. Rest In Peace Gary. And Thanks.