Gary Allen Leake

Gary Allen Leake, 59 of Spokane Valley WA, passed away Thursday, October 8, 2020 after being hospitalized with COVID19. He is not just a number. He, and all of the other people who were claimed by this virus, deserve to be remembered for who they were.

Gary was born February 10, 1961, to Gaylen and Muriel Leake in Vancouver Washington. He joined an older sister. Gary was born with Down Syndrome. At the time Gary was born, the medical community knew very little about how to support people with DS and their families. Doctors told his parents they should put him in an institution and that he wouldn't live past the age of 5. They only knew that Gary was their son and they planned to love and raise him in the best way they could. He had a good and full life. Together with other parents of special needs children, Gaylen and Muriel advocated for starting special educational programs in the public schools in Baker, Oregon where the family lived. There were none before that.

The family lived on a farm and Gary grew up with an appreciation for all of the farm animals. Even many years later, he would talk about the horses and cows and chickens that were on the farm. The family dogs were his special companions and always watched out for him.

Gary loved his extended family and always enjoyed visits with his aunts, uncles and cousins. They loved him too.

Gary has two nephews and a niece. He loved them and was proud to be an uncle. They always enjoyed his sense of humor and family times with him.

Gary's older sister grew up in the role of advocate and protector - something he didn't always appreciate. Grace at times, was his annoying older sister and he would take delight in getting any reaction including frustration. But it never lasted too long.

He is missed dearly, but he is at peace, healthy, whole and with his parents again, and he will be forever 18 years old … his answer if anyone asked how old he was.

Gary is survived by his only sibling, Grace Hammersley and brother in law Paul, his nephews Daniel and Patrick Hammersley and his niece Gayle Hammersley; Aunts Doreen Leake and Angelica Fajardo and an Uncle Carl Leake. He is also survived by dozens of cousins in the US and the Philippines.

Gary was predeceased by his father, Gaylen Leake and mother, Muriel Leake.

Due to necessary safety precautions and out of concern for others no viewing will occur and a community memorial service will be scheduled at a later date when COVID19 restrictions are lifted.
Interment Graveside Service will be at 1:00 pm. Tuesday, October 20 at Mountain View Cemetery, 600 E 7th Ave, Colville WA. Father Kenneth St. Hilaire presiding. Arrangements through Heritage Funeral Home in Spokane and Danekas Funeral home in Colville. Groups of no more than 50 people at a time are permitted. Social distancing as possible and masks when in close proximity please.
Gary's family expresses thanks for all of the care he received from the responders who evaluated him and transported him from his adult family home in the Spokane Valley, all of the ER staff at Sacred Heart who had to evaluate him, admit him and also took the time to reassure us that he was receiving the best care and all of the resources they had to help him. The staff in the ICU and both COVID floors who worked relentlessly to help him. They were unfailingly patient and kind and always took the time to talk to us and answer all of our questions. Thanks also to the Chaplain Office and the Social workers for their kindness and support.

Gary had a team of people caring for him before COVID was a thing. His family, staff at his adult family home, his dentist and staff at Dr. Stephen Woodard's office, his neurologist and staff at Providence Epilepsy/Dr. Timothy Powell, and his primary care Physician/Dr. Gary Noland(retired). Thanks to all for the years of support and care provided.

Flowers are welcome, or in lieu of flowers please consider a charitable donation in memoriam to the Arc of Washington State.