Gary Wild

Gary Lauren Wild passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024 at 81 years of age. Gary was born in Detroit, Michigan to Lauren and Eleanor Wild on January 26, 1943. His family later moved to Saline, Michigan where he graduated with honors from Saline High School. Gary worked at the Saline Reporter, doing all kinds of roles including typesetter. He attended Kalamazoo College where he met his wife Lee Summers. After graduation Gary and Lee married in Honolulu on September 25, 1965. They chose to make Kailua their home where they raised their two children, Frederick (Rick) and Tracy Wild (Alexander). Gary worked for Hawaiian Electric from 1965-1972, then took a position at the Hawaii Newspaper Agency where he worked as the Vice President of Systems until retiring in 1998.

Gary was known well in the islands for his myriad of interests; Gary's passion for golf led to his role as rules official and later President of the Hawaii State Golf Association, his 36 years as a member at Oahu Country Club where he was President ('00-'01), and Gary scored 7 "hole-in- one"s over the years. Gary enjoyed driving his peacock blue 1956 Ford Thunderbird, creating digital photography, cooking and baking, cats, and of course sharing his wonderful sense of humor.

Gary is survived by his children Fredrick (Rick) Wild and Tracy Alexander (Jonathan), his sisters Wendy Bognar (John), and Heidi Jancek (Jack), and brother Steven Wild (Terri), his grandchildren Parker and Tanner Wild and Lily and Jack Alexander. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 53 years, Lee Summers Wild. A private ceremony will be held January 16, 2025 with internment alongside his wife Lee in the Mission Cemetery in Honolulu.

Gary was a cornerstone supporter of the Hawaii Public Radio; in lieu of flowers Gary's family encourages you to make a donation to your local public radio.