Gary M Arel

Gary M. Arel, aged 65, of Lee's Summit, MO, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025 following complications of a chronic disease.

Gary was born in Haverhill, MA on 8/13/1959. He is remembered most vividly for a life full of kindness and service to others. He defined the "handy man" who could literally fix just about anything. Constantly being called upon by family and friends to help whenever anything broke down, he is known for never saying "no" and lent a hand to anyone in need.

A very strong work ethic served him well with a long professional career working in HVAC and building maintenance at Longview Community College and the Sprint Campus. For years, alongside his father, he also ran a small swimming pool business that built and maintained swimming pools around the Kansas City area.

His hobbies included fishing, water skiing, snow skiing, and traveling. And,he loved taking his grandchildren on adventures.

Gary is preceded in death by his father, Raymond F. Arel. He is survived by his mother, Arline Arel; his son Anthony Arel and wife Becky Arel and their children Jennifer Scarborough, Raymond Arel, and Sierra Arel; his daughter Jennifer Arel, her partner Jonathan O'Bryan, and their children Antoni Arel-O'Bryan, Natalia Arel-O'Bryan, and Athena Arel-O'Bryan. He is also survived by his siblings: Paul Arel, Linda Ziegelmann, Deborah Blankenship, and Lisa Hammer.

There will be a graveside service Sat. June 21 at 2pm at Longview Cemetery and mass at Our Lady of the Presentation Church in Lee's Summit at 4:30pm Sat. June 21. A Celebration of Life will follow at Longview Lake Shelter #4 from 12-6pm on Sunday June 22, 2025.