Gary D. SKALA

just two days ago, Gary, playing "great balls of fire" on a upright piano in the WRPI lounge popped into my head. Yesterday messages about him appeared in my mail box, and today one message had a link to his memorial. Gary is not gone, he's here - let's dance. ......

With Preacher Jack leaving us last year and with the recent passing of JLL I think of you quite often my friend Gary Skala. Your bigger than life presence, your thoughtfulness, and your wonderful stories will remain with me forever. If there's a rock n roll heaven Gary, I KNOW they have a hell of a band now.

To my dear friend. With the holidays approaching you are always in my heart. Expecting the phone calls and of course the usual card and update at Christmas? Those small but important communications are SO missed. Hours of laughter and plans for the warm months when you return to Chicago or a Jerry function happening. Yes, your dear friend is getting better, but I'm sure you can keep a better eye from heaven. Tell BB we miss you both and I am sure you two are rocking and rolling up there....

I became super close friends with Gary the moment we met in 1999 at a general conference of Metropolitan Community Churches at the Bonneventure Hotel in Downtown, Los Angeles, California. We hung out into the night at the hotel's lounge with Willie Smith, the room mate and musical person who helped Troy Perry start Metropolitan Community Church, the church that helped pave the way for acceptance and inclusion of God's GLBT people and also fought for social justice through the years. The...

words cant express how much I miss you everyday. Besides being a wonderful friend, you were my one and only fan and my biggest supporter. Not a day goes by that I dont think of you and feel the loss. You will NEVER be forgotten as long as I live.

First of all my prayers go out to his family. I've know Gary since the 60's. He was always a gentleman and he would always be there for you. He remembered everything. We would talk on the phone at least once a month and I was shocked how he remembered everybody's birthday and things that happened. He will be missed by so many people. The last time I saw him was at Jerry Lee Lewis's 75th birthday party. I was supposed to get together with him this past summer when he was in Nashville but I was...

Gary's cards meant so much. He never missed a birthday or holiday. Nick first met Gary at Jerry Lees 52nd birthday party in Memphis in 1987 and it was like they had been friends for years. In the past 25 years he's been as thoughtful as anyone I'd ever met. God Bless you Pal! I know you made Heaven even brighter for your parents and so many others that were there to welcome you. Mara and Nick Martone, Las Vegas

Mark Twain once wrote “there is no humor in heaven”; I don't know about before but there damn sure is now. I enjoy seeing the names here from places far and wide, and I am sad Gary and I never shared tales of our travels. Its people like Gary, his love of life and adventure that helped influence me to pursue the world, and Gary was right about the Ku'Damm, I spent a week there one night.
Whether it was Berlin, Germany or hamlets like Feura Bush New York; Gary found friends. His humor made...

In remembering Gary, It's hard to say good-bye to someone so special. He meant so much to so many and will be deeply missed..With Heartfelt Sympathy! At this sad time may it help to know that our many thoughts and prayers are with his family and all his friends??