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Gary Topping Obituary
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Carol Rose
November 7, 2009
My deepest condolences to the entire Topping family. I remember Gary from good old HTHS, Gary was a good person and he was so very smart.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May all the good memories bring you comfort.
Teri Thompson/Toth
November 5, 2009
Since 1967, at Hamilton Township HS, I admired, was in awe of, was sometimes terrified of (he was so BIG!), and always amazed by Gary. He and Pat have been like my own family since before they were married. His passing leaves an empty space in my life where warmth and a quirky smile used to be. I'm just so grateful that I was able to run down the hall at HTHS last spring (April 09) and throw my arms around him one more time, not knowing it was the last time I was ever to see him. I'll miss him always. Pat, Lani, Patrick, Gerry, and all the Toppings... my love to you all. Peace be with you.
Mike Malkowski
November 4, 2009
My deepest condolences to the entire Topping family. As all have previously stated, Gary was a good person....a gentle giant as I remember him in high school.I can remember many times looking up from the grass and mud on the football field and seeing the backside of Gary...20-30 yards down field, knowing that no one would catch him.
deborah (martin) berry
October 31, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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Nancy Gaddie
October 28, 2009
Topping Family, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you go through this difficult time. May you find comfort in your many memories and may God grant you peace, healing, and hope for the future. I'm sorry that I did not know Gary well, only to wave sometimes as he drove down the street, but I remember Lani went to Rampart with my son. Our family has walked where you are ourselves just a few years ago, so I wanted to leave a note to encourage you.
nick werle
October 27, 2009
I talked to Gary about 2 months ago at Jnic, he was his usual jovial self, that will be a memory I can enjoy.
Vicky Lozier (Leath)
October 27, 2009
I was shocked when I heard of Gary's passing. I'll always remember Gary from high school as the terrific athlete he was and a very kind and caring individual. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family. I am so very sorry for your loss. I'm sure you all have wonderful memories you'll cherish and keep in your hearts forever. May God be with you all.
Hilda Turner
October 26, 2009
Pat,
It was so nice talking to you and Gary at the Alumni Banquet in April.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Hilda Turner
Marla Fisher Obert
October 26, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
October 26, 2009
I am so sorry hear of Gary's passing. He will remain in our hearts forever.
Rikki (Turner) Krueper
Randy Mc Dowell
October 26, 2009
Pat, Gerry and Family,
My deepest condolonces on Gary's passing. Many did not know that he was the first followed by Gerry the following year as to be the first black student(s) to be appointed to The United States Miitary Academy and appointment which was only available to those whose parent had been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor at that time. Gerry followed him a year later with the same appointment. Gary will always be remembered with his Big String Bass and Beautiful Bass Voice as he played the string bass to, "Annie Get Your Gun." An album was made from a recording and sold to students for memorial purposes. Gary's dips and dodges on the football field set High School records at Hamilton Township High, with the most rushing yards in a season only to be broken by his brother Gerry the following year. Gary will be sorely missed and may you all have the Peace that comes from The Great Comforter, sent by the Heavenly Father above. "MAY YOU NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN"
October 26, 2009
I remember Gary from high school and his outstanding athletic ability. He was a super nice guy and he will be sorely missed. My prayers go out to the entire Topping family during this difficult time. May Gods grace strengthen you and his love surround you.
Steve Engelman (Galloway, Ohio)
Kim, Jordyn & Taylor Topping
October 26, 2009
Mom, Dad, Pat, Lani, Patrick, Gerry and Ken - Words cannot express the sadness and loss the girls and I felt when we heard of Gary's passing. The girls were blessed to have recently seen their uncle and the rest of the family at Lani's beautiful wedding. Gary was and will always be the gentle "Giant" of the Topping Clan. You could always count on him to bring laughter to any situation. Although we will miss his wit, humor, and presence we will cherish his memory forever. May God comfort and keep you all in his Grace. We Love you all!
October 26, 2009
Pat and family,
My sympathy on the loss of Gary. I remember him from high school and shared in being a 'military brat' with him. He was truly a nice guy at that time as I am sure he continued to be. I know you will miss him terribly.
Peggy Demers McSweyn (Class 1969)
Debby Rutan-Adams
October 26, 2009
Pat, I am so sorry to hear about Gary's passing. I pray for God's peace and comfort for you and your family.
Becky Dunlap-Eccard
October 26, 2009
Pat, I am so very sorry to hear about Gary. Although I was not close to him, I remember him being such a great person in High School. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. Keep your faith in God and He will see you through this difficult time. Becky Dunlap Eccard (Class of 1970)
Cindy Ericson/MacCready
October 25, 2009
I remember Gary from High School in Columbus, Ohio. He was a special person then and it sounds like he kept that through out his life. Pat and family our prayers are with you.
Joachim Hagopian
October 25, 2009
Gary was among my true friends at West Point. As a roommate, we always had plenty of laughs, at life itself, at ourselves, it didn't much matter. The important thing was the camaraderie and humor that bolstered our kindred spirits through the many ups and downs of cadet life. Your larger than life presence, boisterous, unmistakable laugh and sharp wit was like no other. You were my brother on the playing field, and a star linebacker at that. I always enjoyed our shared time together those many years ago. Just over a decade ago when the computer age was rapidly upon us, you were among the first comrades from our ancient past that I reached out to. Despite the fact you had just undergone a major surgery, your undaunted spirit pressed on. You shared how proud you were to have a son following in your gridiron glory. The computer science professor of Regis University was clearly on the comeback trail. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to rekindle our friendship, but mostly Gary, I'm grateful to have known you and called you my true friend. My heart goes out to Pat and the entire Topping family. Be Thou At Peace Fallen Warrior....
Etta Morgan/Greene
October 24, 2009
Gary was always larger than life. But he wasn't just a brief bright light in this old world, he was a shooting star lighting up the entire night sky. He was a dear friend, and will be missed terribly. My heart is with you Pat, and with your family. May God bless and comfort you all.
Streets Family
October 23, 2009
Dear Topping Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May the Lord embrace you with his love and presence.
Sandy Hall
October 23, 2009
We are deeply sorry to hear of the passing of Gary. May the Lord give your family comfort and peace during this time of sorrow.
Kevin Mackey
October 23, 2009
I had the honor of working with Gary at MDA. As a solution vendor, I enjoyed many lively discussions with him in the VLD about technology futures, strategies and failures. He was not just a customer. He was a friend. I always looked forward to our conversations. Those banters are sorely missed.
My sincerest condolences to Mrs. Topping and the children at the loss of such a good man.
Ken & Mary Jones
October 22, 2009
Condolences for the Toppings family. I didn't know Gary personally but I know two of his nieces and Kim. It is my desire that they and the Toppings family be encouraged and comforted by trusting that to be absence from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Ronald Garcia
October 22, 2009
I worked with Gary at the MDIOC on DR COOP Planning and other projects and shared wine at the Blue Star with Gary and Patricia, We will miss him at the MDIOC and I offer my heart felt sympathy to Patricia and their Children for the Lost of their Father,
Ronald Garcia
Mr. David A. Fuller, St.
October 22, 2009
Working with Gary at Schriever from about 2000 to 2004, the latter my retirement year, I developed high esteem for his integrity, wit and comraderie. I wish the family every comfort certainly holding many warm memories at his departure from this life.
Douglas Clapp, Capt, USAF (Ret)
October 21, 2009
I was surprised to learn Gary has departed from this world. Before I retired from L-3 Communications, I was privileged to work with him at the JNIC/MDIOC for several years. We didn't always see eye-to-eye on the approach to some of our mutual problems, but I always respected his vision of the solutions. I know he will be missed by many people in many ways. Celebrate his life with zest; share and treasure all the good memories.
October 21, 2009
I will keep Gary and all of his family in my prayers. You have my heartfelt sympathy in you loss. Gary, a fellow Ohioan, was a classmate at West Point. We first met during the summer of 1969.
Mike Pasquarella, Colonel Medical Corps, US Army
Joe Jankowski
October 21, 2009
To his wife Patricia and his children, to brother Gerry, and the Topping family:
I am so very sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Please accept my condolences. I remember watching Gary play football in high school when I was in the fifth grade, and I was honored to meet him when he was inducted into Hamilton Township High School's athletic Hall of Fame.
Kathleen (Knight) Ambro
October 21, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you mourn the loss of a life taken too soon, but celebrate the life of a remarkable man.
Gary touched the lives of many and may we each take the fondest memory of him and incorporate it into our lives so that his life continues on through us.
I'll always remember his graciousness and his friendly smiling face that could light up a room.
Randy Scott
October 21, 2009
Gary was among the finest scholar/athletes to ever attend Hamilton Township High School, in Columbus, Ohio. I am grateful that after 40 years I got to see him again in April. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Pat and their family in this tragic time. Words from one of my favorite songs: "The sun comes up and seasons change; through it all, love remains". Pat, only part of him is gone...the rest is forever.
George Lee
October 21, 2009
Gary helped me coach little league football with our sons as players many years ago. An awesome, caring man. All of the kids loved him on and off the field. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
October 21, 2009
I am very sorry to hear of of Gary's passing. You and family are in our prayers and thoughts. May God Bless all in this time of sorrow.
Leanna Gregory/Abram (HTHS 1969)
Bonnie Wilson/Sinnhuber
October 21, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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