Gary B. Putnam

Gary was one of my favorite people on earth. My life was monumentally improved with his guidance and caring when I was a student at Pacific. My life was again monumentally changed for the better when Gary married my wife and I in 1992. Though our interactions have been sparse over the years, he has always been a mighty oak for me. The world has been a far better place because of him. We should all strive to be at least half the man he was. May you rest in peace, Gary.

Sincere sympathies Gillian and family. It is hard to think of Gary without feeling a warm glow. His sincerity, wisdom compassion and sense of fun were inspirational traits. To have had the opportunity to spend time with him on his visits to Ireland are treasured memories of a beautiful human being.
Honor and Trevor

Sincere condolences to Gillian and family
On the sad loss of your beloved Gary.
May his gentle soul rest in eternal peace.
Pauline & Peter ( Dublin)

The beautiful soul, who is Gary, came into my life when he married my sister-in-law,Gillian and what a privilege and a blessing it has been to have had him as a fellow in-law and dear friend. Although we live so far away across the wide Atlantic Ocean, Gary has always been a real presence in our lives.

He and I connected particularly around our shared love of literature and history and we enjoyed a rather nerdy and humorous pre-occupation with correct grammar and punctuation, often exchanging what he and I considered to be hilarious "bloomers".

Gary was the celebrant at our son, Arran's marriage to "the lovely Lena" in Waterford Castle 2019. What a beautiful ceremony that was-- a dlouble privilege in that it was the same service that he prepared for his and Gillian's marriage.

Gary's kindness, his wisdom and his calming presence made him beloved of all who met him in Ireland. His love of music and the Arts, his sense of humour and his erudition made him the veryn best of company.

I am heartbroken that he has fled this mortal coil but I know that his spirit will always be with us. I only have to think of him and I smile. My deepest condolences to dear Gillian, to Margaret, to Beth and to their families. Unforunately, I cannot attend Gary's funeral but I send an Irish blessing- "Ar Dheis Dé go raigh a Anam" ( May his soul sit at God's Right Hand). This is my final goodbye to my dear friend, the irreplaceable, the Gary Putnam

X

May legions of angels greet Mr. Putnam and escort him to the right hand of God. I left Stockton in 1966, but am so very pleased a wonderful man arrived in 1983 and did such wonderful work in my hometown. My condolences to his family and the many friends and admirers he had. I'm sorry I missed him. Valerie Hehn Brown

I was a student at ISU and decided to attend church one Sunday because I was home sick. I sat in the last pew not aware of the sign that read Reserved for Families with Small Children. I was really hoping I could slip right out once worship was over! Before I knew it, I was trapped be two big families on both sides of me. When church got over both families knew each other and reach around me to catch up. I was trapped and about the last one to leave the Sanctuary when an older woman by the name of Dorothea Gienger and her friend Lou invited me out for Sunday Dinner! They called Gary and gave him my phone number telling him I was such a nice young man. Gary called me on Monday and invited me to meet up with him at the Union. He was just the person I needed at that moment in my life. He was such a great role model and friend for me.
20 years later I served Gladbrook UMC which was Dorothea´s hometown! She was 1 out of 8 brothers and sisters! She was the only one who left town.

Gary was a father figure for me at Pacific. He was kind, had a soothing voice, a wonderful sense of humor and you never felt like you were bothering him. He gave you his full attention and you always felt better after talking with him. I was blessed to have him officiate my wedding and blessed to call him friend.