GARY NOEL ABERNATHY

1940 - 2014

Born in Springfield, Mo., on April 20, 1940, Gary Noel Abernathy passed away embraced by family on Wednesday, April 30, 2014. As a teen who lived in the Ruskin Heights neighborhood during the tornado of 1957, Gary and a younger friend were nearly swept away while running for the safety of a nearby church basement, and 55 seconds after they made it inside, the doors were ripped from their hinges. He often told the story of how he came to love the number five that day because of his new, digital stopwatch, which he'd clicked the moment they'd gotten to the cellar. He considered five his lucky number and passes his love of the number five on to his grandson, who wears it proudly for every team, every sport for which he plays. His family and grandchildren were the apple of Gary's blue, blue eyes, and he never failed to attend a game of basketball, baseball, and especially, football, no matter the time, place, or his own health. Gary passed on many loves to many of those in his life, and that includes his love of coaching, which he shared with his son who now proudly coaches in his father's footsteps. Gary spent many years coaching, even before he had children of his own: first for the Raytown Little League, then for the St. Therese Vikings, where he led his oldest son's team to a city championship, and finally as an asst. coach for his younger son's Gladstone Gladiators team. A sportsman, Gary always made time for golf and was lucky enough to play on some beautiful courses, including Turnberry and Royal Troon, in Scotland. Travel was something Gary enjoyed both with his family and as a part of his several successful businesses, including the extended time he spent living in Windsor, England, and Boston, Mass., during the 1980s and 1990s, respectively. Gary's first company, Information Control Incorporated, was established in 1969, which later merged with Saztec, Intl., a company he helped take public and where he functioned as C.E.O. Taking on Saztec's off-shore division, Gary specialized in converting the card catalogue data of every library in Scotland, England, and in many European nations. In 1999, Gary returned to the States to purchase a company staffed by many of his longtime Saztec employees, a company that is now known as Info- Data-Services and which is currently owned and operated by his son, Nick. Located in North Kansas City, Gary's business allowed him the opportunity to become a member of the NKC Breakfast Club, which he enjoyed for the friendship and for the possibility of learning or debuting a new joke. Anybody who knew Gary knew he loved to tell a joke, and until you knew him well, you would be certain he was speaking the truth until he jabbed you with the punchline at the end of an earnest yarn. Unfortunately for Nancy, his sainted wife of 50 years and 4 months, she was often the subject of a punchline, and even near the end, the nurses stepped into the waiting room asking if a "Godzilla" was present. Despite his teasing, Gary loved nothing more than family and nothing made him happier than seeing everybody together, sharing a meal (well salted), and a laugh. He especially enjoyed time with all of his musician friends and his Wednesday night poker group. Always looking for a reason to gather, Gary would eat lunch nearly daily with both of his sons in NKC at Chappell's Sports Museum and Restaurant, then maybe wander down the street to his eldest son's knife shop where he admired the newest blade, so proud to have seen his knives grace the cover of Blade magazine. Gary was so proud of his boys, and he told them he loved them every day of their lives. He will be palpably missed by so many, family and friend, and it is certain this world will be absent some much-needed laughter without him here to inspire the mirth. Gary Abernathy is remembered by his wife, Nancy, his sons, Lance and Nick (and his wife, Piper, and their children, Clayton and Remmy) of Kansas City, Mo., his mother, Josephine Abernathy, and his sister, Sandy Dunn, of Springfield, Mo., as well as his sister, Linda Kay Barrett, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and well as by many, many sisters- and brothers-in- law, nephews, cousins, and other family who were there with him always. We know that Gary is up there somewhere, sporting a fine jacket (one of his other loves), wearing a cockeyed halo, and whispering something he shouldn't to an angel. We'll miss you, G.A. Services will be held Saturday, May 3, at Antioch Community Church, 4805 NE Antioch Road, Kansas City, MO 64119. Visitation at 12 p.m. with service at 1 p.m. The family requests donations to City Union Mission in lieu of flowers.