Name: Service for The Reverend Gary A. Gard
Start: 2022-10-22T18:00:00.000Z
Location: First Congregational Church – United Church of Christ

Gary was born June 4, 1943, in Rochester, NY. He passed peacefully at home on September 19, 2022, with his loving family surrounding him. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1961 with a degree in Business Administration. After working for 3 years in Portland, OR, for the Crown Zellerback Corporation, he felt a call to ministry. That led to his attending Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA from where he graduated in 1971. Before retiring from the ministry in 2005, he pastored churches in Pittsburgh, PA, Saratoga, WY, Benson, AZ, Petaluma, CA, and Tucson, AZ. Gary felt humbled and thankful that God had called him into ministry to serve as a pastor. As much as he loved being a pastor, he always felt that he too was pastored by parishioners, friends, family, and societal events. How others celebrated life, how they struggled with life's heartaches, pains and social injustice schooled him in growing as a person of faith. In concluding worship services, he would always remind those present to remember, "We have been blessed to be a blessing" [Genesis 12:2]. In the closing days of his earthly life, he felt surrounded and blessed by so many earthly angels. Among them were those at Maggie's Hospice: Christy, Patti, April, Romney, Cathy, Allen and Zach who brought their caring hands and hearts. The loving embrace of wife, Patty, his 4 surviving children - 3 sons and a daughter: Paul (Kathryn), David (deceased), Jason (Pam), Jeff and Jennifer (Hibby) and the love of his 11 grandchildren. He died feeling their love lifting him up into the welcoming arms of the One who called him into ministry. Gary's "Celebration of Life" service will be held on Saturday, October 22nd at 11:00 a.m. at First Congregational Church - United Church of Christ, 216 E. Gurley Street, Prescott, AZ, 86301. The family requests those who wish to express their sympathy to consider donating to Maggie's Hospice in the name of Gary Gard. Donations can be made online at Maggieshospice.com or by check sent to: Maggie's Hospice, 801 Miller Valley Road, Prescott, AZ, 86301.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Arizona Daily Star on Oct. 2, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Gary Gard

7 Entries

Patty Haynes

November 7, 2022

Gary Gard was a terrific person and an inspiration to his congregation at First Presbyterian Church in Petaluma. I consider myself fortunate to have crossed paths with Gary and Patti during my life.

Pam Medlin Johnson

October 27, 2022

Gary was such a part of my family´s life! He pastored us and brought us in closer relationship with God. He counseled us, married us, helped us grief over the loss of my sister and baptized two out of three of our children. I doubt I´ll ever meet a man so correctly called to serve. Blessings to Patty and all of their family. Love, Pam Medlin Johnson and family.

Kerri Budwine

October 21, 2022

Gary had the spirit within him and spread to all those he came in contact with. He was part of so many events of my family. Some full of joy and celebration and others that had great sadness. His comfort, his words of wisdom and his looking to God, always kept myself and my mom centered. Thank you Gary. And to his family, we so appreciate you always sharing your loved one with us. He will be remembered in our hearts, but his legacy will live on through so many. May you find time to breath, to reflect, to pray and look to heaven and see Rev. Gary Gard at peace with God.

Erich Reinstadler

October 11, 2022

I am so incredibly sad to find out Reverend Gard has passed on. He was always such a good hearted man, warm and welcoming to me, even long after I had stopped attending church. He made such an impact on me that even now, 25+ years after last seeing him, I feel a profound sense of loss. A very important part of my upbringing has gone on to his reward.
On behalf of the Reinstadler Family, I want the Gard Family to know that they will be in our thoughts and prayers. Rev Gard may be gone, be he will never be forgotten.

Bill Evans

October 8, 2022

Gary was a friend always. From the time you first met him. He paid attention, asked questions, learned who you were and why you were you. As a fellow pastor we started with different perspectives on some of the "ideas" or issues of the day. But every time I listened to him, I was drawn to what he was saying. He helped me transition to being a better listening pastor, hearing from all people, from all walks of life.

He was my friend when my pastoral relationship with a local church ended after 11+ years. He had of course been my friend during as well. Our churches were similar in size. We even ended up doing some social events together, though we were on opposite ends of town.

In difficult days, when I needed a friend to listen, when I needed one who would give advice (only when asked, he never intruded), Gary was a gem of a man and was more a pastor to me than any other pastor in the Presbytery. Not slighting anyone else, but Gary became that "go to" person when I couldn't find my way to what God might be up to or what should happen next.

He was beloved in his church, also. When I came back to Tucson after I retired as an Interim Pastor (having done 4 Interim calls), when I needed a church, I ended up at St. John, where he was no longer pastor having moved to Prescott, but where his influence had grown such beautiful and welcoming and loving people. I'm still there.

We have talked occasionally, and I often thought we should talk more. But we seemed to do it when we needed to. I always knew he was there. I always knew he could be counted on. He took delight in hearing from me about his former congregation, so dear to his heart. I know it blessed him that they have carried on the very heart of things he taught and modeled.

If you knew Gary, you just couldn't help but love him. I am happy for his Homecoming in heaven, long anticipated, but also for the many years he fought off one of the hardest diseases on the planet. He lived much longer than predictions. He lived on love. I will miss him. I will look forward to seeing him again, when I am called over to that new life.

Love, care and blessings to Patty and all his family,

Pastor Bill Evans

Sandy Nichols

October 2, 2022

I will miss this wonderful man, he was a big part of my life and my family for many years when he was at first Presbyterian church in Petaluma. We continued our friendship even after he moved, he touched many lives. I will miss him very much, my thoughts and prayers to Patti and family...blessings

Debbie

October 2, 2022

I´m so sorry to hear this about Reverend Gard. He was such a loving, kind, beautiful person. My thoughts and love go out to his family. I was lucky enough to be part of Reverend Gards congregation for several years in Petaluma.

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