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Gary Tolen Obituary
Gary was born Dec 13, 1949 in Anchorage. He graduated from East Anchorage High School. He served in the United States Army from 1969 until his honorable discharge in 1971. He was awarded two purple hearts while serving in the Vietnam War.
Gary married Carolyn Matheny, who preceded him in death in 1975. On June 16, 1984, he married Debbie Werner in Portland, Ore.
Gary to moved to Portland in 1979 and then to Gresham, Ore. He was a hardwood floors specialist. He enjoyed fishing, target practice, gardening and reading. He moved to Maupin, Ore., in 2006 to be near the Deschutes River, his favorite place to fish.
He was a lifelong Oakland Raiders fan. His sister Kari says, "Friends and family were very important to him. He loved being around them. We are going to miss him terribly".
Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Anita McClure and his stepfather, Jerry McClure of Anchorage; his father, Don Tolen of Anchorage; and his stepson, Daniel Elllis of Greshman, Ore.
Survivors include his wife, Deb Tolen of Maupin, Ore.; son and daughter-in-law, James and Tom Tolen of Portland, Ore.; granddaughter and husband, Melissa and Ricky Wyatt; great-grandson Lane Wyatt, of Yakima, Wash; stepmother Ruby Tolen of Anchorage; sisters Kari and husband Dennis McFeron of Anchorage, Sandy Giroux of Wasilla and Tammy Tolen of Anchorage; brothers Greg Tolen of Anchorage, Tuffy and wife Jeanine Tolen of Anchorage; and many nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held at 1:43 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at Rose City Funeral Home, 5625 N.E. Fremont St. Portland. A second service will be held at 1:43 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at South Wasco County High School, 699 Fourth Street, Maupin, Ore.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Tolen
Ryan Hoberg
May 30, 2011
Gary,
Miss you tons. You will always live in our hearts.
143!
Deb Tolen
May 30, 2011
Hi Honey~I always told you " Happy Memorial Day" so with all my heart and soul, you served your country and me. I will honor u forever. 143 and I miss you so very much. Just me
Oren Donnell
May 30, 2011
Gary,
Only got be your friend for ten years ,way to short.I will always remember you for the great person you are.You touched my heart just by being you.You will always be in my thoughts.
Till we meet again
May 30, 2011
Gary, is a very speciAL GUY AND HE IS NOW IN A VERY SPECIAL PLACE ,WHICH IS WITH THE FATHER GOD HE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAl place in Adell and i (Rudona) hearts. Debbie will always be with us in our hearts. her and gary are ALWAYS VERY VERY GOOD FRIENDS WE Have had some great memories. we love you "G"
Lydia Anderson
May 29, 2011
Gary, I will miss seeing you on my treks to Maupin. You always called me sweetheart, and I loved that greeting! I feel so grateful to have gotten to know you, but of course it wasn't nearly long enough. You live on in those of us who love you, and Deb and I will always have talks about what a wonderful guy you were!!! Love and miss you much.
Linda Hoberg
May 29, 2011
Gary ~ (Raider G")
Still so hard to believe that your gone, but you'll be in our hearts forever & ever!!
Love you lots & miss you even more. I'll remember our years of being friends, from when Danny & Brenden first became friends & brought us all together. It's been an awesome ride having you & Deb as a friend, I love you both soooo much even though Deb & I got off to a rocky start when she called me "Hun" when we first talked on the phone, now we laugh about it, and still call each other "Hun".
So until we all meet again, you & Danny go find the perfect fishing spot & fish on. You were a "Good Man & Pretty Too" 143!! Linda Lou "the brat"
cathy and betty
May 29, 2011
Gary, you are so missed and so loved by all that knew you.
I know you are with me at the ranch as there is a very croaky frog that talks to me whenever I am close!
Know you sent the white dove and white wolf hybrid to cross my path, too.
Thank you for the "gifts!"
Know you will always be in our hearts as you gave yours so freely to family and friends.
My mom says the same...
You are very loved and missed!
cathy and betty
M&B
May 23, 2011
Gary,
Thank you for all the hugs and smiles, the laughs and fun. You will be our treasured memory of what a real our friend is. The Man with a heart so big and a smile so broad and soul so sweet. Oh Gary it’s so hard to say good bye, but the pain is gone and you have fish to catch. We look forward to the day we can see you again my friend. In our hearts and thoughts you will stay, till then G. GO RAIDERS!
M&B
May 23, 2011
Gary,
Thank you for all the hugs and smiles, the laughs and fun. You will be our treasured memory of what a real our friend is. The Man with a heart so big and a smile so broad and soul so sweet. Oh Gary it’s so hard to say good bye, but the pain is gone and you have fish to catch. We look forward to the day we can see you again my friend. In our hearts and thoughts you will stay, till then G. GO RAIDERS!
M&B
May 23, 2011
Gary, all the hugs and smiles, all fun times and laughs, all the cheap shots at our football teams. These are just a few thing that we'll miss. Most of all G we'll miss you. 143
Mary Beth Good
May 21, 2011
You were a peaceful soul. I will cherish my time with you and Debbie a few months ago. A friend Forever, Mary Beth
Deb Tolen
May 19, 2011
Gary..I can't beleive it's been a month and 2 days 4 hrs and and and....I misss you soo much.I know ur not hurting All my love 4 ever...Just me~Deb
Kari McFeron
May 18, 2011
I will miss you forever! I am blessed to have had you for a brother!
Kari
May 17, 2011
Gary....I met you and and your wife Debbie a couple of times and how I felt the sense of family with you.... I had the feeling of being near your grandfather and mine by your very presence. You were much like him with your kindness and love. You are well loved that was obvious. Your kind heart and smile I will always remember. Your cousin Peg
Cheryl Gonzales
May 16, 2011
You will always remain in our hearts & prayers...God Bless...Cheryl & Gary
May 1, 2011
To the love of my life , for all my life....your wife~ 143 lover
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