Gary F. Keicher

1941 - 2020

Gary F. Keicher

Gary F. Keicher, born September 10, 1941, father, grandfather, husband of 55 years passed July 30, 2020. Gary was a graduate of Long Beach Junior College and a proud graduate of the last graduating class at ASC, Flagstaff, AZ (now of course Northern Arizona University).

Gary married Claudia McIntyre at St. Theresa Church in 1965. Then in January 1966, Gary was drafted into the US Army, later survived OCS (Officer's Candidate School) and was appointed a Second Lt., November 21, 1966. Gary then served at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD until September 1967 when he and Family moved to what was then, West Germany. He made 1st Lt. November 1967 and took command of Headquarters Company, Manheim. 1968, Gary made Captain and took command of the 81st Lite Equipment Maintenance Company. November 1969 saw the family moving back to the states as Gary was curtailed out of West Germany to Viet Nam. December 26, 1969 Gary said goodbye to his Family and left for duty in Viet Nam. Upon arrival, he took command of a C C and S Company (collection, classification, and salvage) for the next 11 months. Returning to the USA, Gary choose to leave the Army in November 1970.

He worked as a sales associate until 1977 when he and family moved to Pinetop, AZ. There began his and Claudia's Entrepreneur life. During the 30 full time years spent on the mountain they owned a firewood business, Forest Products, a restaurant, GJ's for Pizza, a gym and dance studio, Movin', a janitorial supply with a partner, Sunshine Supplies and a Travel Agency, Mid-Town Travel.

In 2015 Gary and Claudia moved to Apache Junction, AZ where Claudia continues to reside. Gary has been proceeded in death by son, John Paul Keicher and is survived by daughter Angela Kimmins of Show Low, AZ and Gregory and Sara Keicher of Snowflake, AZ. Gary also was a kind and loving Grandfather to Tiffany, Abagayle, Ella, Audrey, Eden and Lauren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9399, 133 N. Saguaro Drive, Apache Junction, AZ at 11:30 AM. An Italian lunch will follow. He will be interned at the National Cemetery, Phoenix, AZ in a private ceremony.