Gary Lynn Eyerly

Gary Lynn Eyerly

Johnston

Gary Lynn Eyerly, 77, died Sunday, October 4, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, October 8 at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Pkay, West Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 9 at Union Park United Methodist Church, 2305 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa with burial at Oakwood Cemetery in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.

Gary, son of Ralph and Jean Eyerly, was born December 9, 1937 in Macksburg, Iowa. Upon graduation from Macksburg High School, he felt called to enlist in the U.S. Army where he served two years in Germany as a court reporter. After his service, he graduated from UNI (then known as Iowa State Teachers College). Later he received his Masters Degree in Education and Specialists Degree in Administration from Drake University. He began his teaching career in Omaha in 1962. Upon moving to Des Moines, he taught Business at Roosevelt High School. Gary was then Vice Principal at Weeks Middle School, Vice Principal at East High School and Principal at Hiatt Middle School before retiring in 2003. He also worked part time at Sears Credit Central for many years.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1958 Gary married his childhood sweetheart, Beverly Wood. They would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this year. Gary and Bev were blessed with three daughters, Jody, Pam, and Angie. As the girls were growing up, they enjoyed many family vacations together. A favorite was the annual fishing trip to Leech Lake in Minnesota that now includes spouses and grandchildren.

Gary was a role model for his family, students, and coworkers. He was generous, courageous, and selfless. His loving concern was always for everyone else. He enjoyed coaching his daughters' youth athletic teams, and after his retirement, volunteering with his church friends for Bidwell Riverside. Many evenings and weekends were spent watching his daughters' sporting events and activities at East High School and later his grandchildren's at Johnston High School. Tailgating and attending Iowa State games were favorite events. Gary and Bev enjoyed many travel experiences in the United States and abroad with their sisters and husbands as well as with good friends.

Faith was an important part of Gary's life. He was a long time member of Union Park United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir and in the congregation. He felt God's presence through all of his health struggles and demonstrated courage and determination to get well.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Bev, and his three daughters, Jody Bass (Doug), Pam Schultz (Rick), and Angie Nichol (Steve) all of Johnston, Iowa; his ten grandchildren, Ryan Bass, Nick Bass (Christina), Eric Bass, Sarah Kleen (TJ), Aaron Schultz, Alissa Schultz, Katelyn Schultz, Alex Nichol, Austin Nichol and Abby Nichol; his three sisters, Carol Shinn, Marge Eyerly, Lois Pals (Dale); his sisters-in-law, Judy Cameron, Janet Carlson (Ernie), and Barb Buckles; many other supportive and loving extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Jean Eyerly, his mother-in-law, Marie Wood Groomes, and his brothers-in-law, Jerry Shinn, Ken Buckles, and Richard Cameron.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Union Park United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society, or a charity of choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.