Gary L Nasalroad

Santa Paula, CA - On April 30, 2024, at age 83, we lost a generous, kindhearted and devoted family man. Gary fought a short but valiant battle against pancreatic cancer.

Born and raised in Santa Paula, Gary graduated from Santa Paula High. He attended Ventura Community College and was elected student body president and then state president. He attended Berkeley and eventually earned his degree from the University of La Verne. Gary served his country by serving in the Army National Guard. He met the love of his life, Nancy Hartman, at a UCSB party where he declared, " That is the woman I'm going to marry," which he did. They were happily married for 58 years. He was hired by So. Cal. Edison working there for 33 years, retiring as a major accounts manager. While there he was a member of the Speakers Bureau which sparked his passion for public speaking. Gary and Nancy moved to Ventura where they lived for 26 years and raised their two daughters Taira and Kristin. Shortly before retiring they moved back to Gary's hometown of Santa Paula where he devoted his life to community service for the next 28 years. There were so many organizations that he belonged to it was often said that Santa Paula would fall into chaos without him.

Gary sat on the board of the Santa Paula Theater where he became the de facto go- to handyman. At every theater production he would gather a group of friends to have dinner and enjoy the show. An active member of the Rotary Club, Gary enjoyed participating in the Pumpkin Patch and the Christmas baskets. His dedication earned him the Paul Harris Fellowship and Rotarian of the Year awards. Gary served on the Ventura and later the Santa Paula Planning Commission, served on the board of the Santa Clara Valley Hospice and on the Santa Paula Police and Fire Foundation. He chaired AIB (America in Bloom) which is responsible for the hanging flower baskets in downtown Santa Paula and took great pride in the rose garden on Tenth St. For 50 years Gary served faithfully on the board of the Ventura and Santa Clara Valley Boys and Girls Clubs. Through sponsorships, chairmanships and solicitations he raised more than a million dollars for the Boys and Girls Clubs. He was presented with the President's Council on Service and Participation Award on behalf of the President of the United Sates.

Gary had many favorite things: tending his own beautiful garden and the city rose garden, enjoying a fine glass of wine from his personal wine cellar while listening to jazz with his dog Sophie on his lap, playing a round of golf with his friends at the Saticoy Country Club and traveling the world with his wife and friends. Nancy and Gary belonged to the El Cien Dance Club, attended the "cork suckers" wine parties and traveled and dined with two gourmet groups of friends. Gare was happiest with the weekly Sunday dinners at his house with his family: his wife Nancy, his daughters Taira Garces, son-in-law Joe Garces and grandsons Garrett, Tyler and Ryan, his daughter Kristin Franke, son-in-law Mark Franke and grandsons Devin and Aidan. These dinners were spent enjoying a good meal and telling stories with lots of laughter. Besides his immediate family, Gary is lovingly survived by his sisters Deborah Seabaugh (husband Craig) and children Dustin, Heidi and Zack; Sue Garner, (son Jared), sister-in-law Marilyn Davis (Terry) and niece and nephew Tisha and Ryan Nasalroad. Gary is predeceased by his parents Lonnie and Viola Nasalroad, brother John Nasalroad and sister-in-law Linda Foster.

The last four years were challenging for Gary due to a cancer operation on his jaw which hindered his speaking and eating. Despite that, he never slowed down and was an inspiration for those who knew him. Genuinely the most kindhearted, funny and friendly person, Gary saw only the best in every person he met. Always generous with his time, he never hesitated to leap into action when help was needed.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Santa Clara Valley Boys and Girls Club. A celebration of his life will be held on June 28th at the Palazzio Event Center, 814 Main Street in Santa Paula from 3-6 p.m.