ROBERT GARY MCPHETRIGE

1944 - 2018

On Friday, May 4, 2018 Robert Gary McPhetrige passed away peacefully with his family and companion by his side. Gary was born March 3, 1944 in Ardmore, Oklahoma to Juanita and Clarence Gene McPhetrige. Gary attended Lincoln Elementary School, and Wilson Junior High as a young boy before graduating from Central Union High School in 1963. He was the owner of Rigid Electric. It was during this time that he installed residential and commercial electrical services for the majority of the vegetable cooling sheds as well as the first Motel 6 built in El Centro. In 1971 he found his passion for development and building custom and upscale residential homes. He built over 1,200 premiere quality homes in the City of El Centro. In 2018, he was recognized as a Community Champion from the City of El Centro. Every home he built, he built as if he was going to live in it. Gary was hard working, a perfectionist and a self-made man with a joyful spirit. He lived life to the fullest. Gary made a great impact on the City of El Centro and will be greatly missed. Gary enjoyed watching John Wayne westerns, boating on Martinez Lake, and spending time with his grandchildren. His summer highlights were spent celebrating July 4th at his beach house on Mission Bay with his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Juanita and Clarence Gene McPhetrige of El Centro. He is survived by his sisters, Nita Hall (Randy) of Allen, Texas and Janice Martinson (James) of Lakeside; daughters, Carmen McPhetrige and Catherine Belen Valenzuela (Armando); most cherished grandchildren, Chandler, Cameron, Sophia and Savannah Valenzuela all of El Centro and cousin, Ronnie McPhetrige of Lewisville, Texas. Rosary will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 10 a.m. at St. Marys Catholic Parish in El Centro, CA. Followed by mass at 11 a.m. Burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery immediately following mass.