Gary Dean Minyard

Gary Dean Minyard, age 75, passed away the evening of Monday April 21, 2025, in Tulare, California due to complications from cancer. Born in Tulare on March 3, 1950, Gary was the first son, and second of six children, of Roy Cranford Minyard and Doris Evelyn (Richmond) Minyard. Gary resided in Tulare until his marriage on February 14, 1984 to Constance Marie (Brazil) Minyard, after which he moved to northwest Goshen, California. Gary graduated from Tulare Union High School in 1968. He then continued his education for a short time at Texas A&M studying engineering before returning to Tulare to complete his Associates Degree in business at College of the Sequoias. He had a 54-year career in auto parts, beginning with Minyard Auto Parts, a family-owned business started by his father, for 40 years, and retiring in December 2024 with C.P Phelps Inc.-Carquest Auto Parts. Gary also umpired little league baseball, worked for the YMCA, and was a member of the Tulare Breakfast Lions Club. Hardworking and compassionate, he taught his family the value of perseverance, the importance of kindness, and the strength of integrity. Gary had a passion for cars, baseball, movies, puzzles and bowling. He was a huge San Francisco Giant's and 49er fan, an excellent cook, enjoyed telling "Dad Jokes," and was a proud girl's dad. Preceding him in death are his parents, Roy and Doris, and Constance (Connie), his wife of 38 years. Gary is survived by his daughters: Amanda Marie Taylor (Tracy Ferreira) of Visalia, and Kayla Elizabeth Minyard of Los Osos, grandchildren: Melody Andersen-Smith of Visalia, Layla Andersen-Smith of Fresno, Maycie and Seth Taylor of Visalia, and Sadie Ferreira of Visalia, and siblings Sharon Van Weerdhuizen (Dan) of Tulare, Janice Minyard of Los Osos, Donna Finley (Ken) of Tulare, Betty Morehead (Jim) of Pixley, and Larry Minyard (Fay) of Tulare. Gary is also survived by a niece and numerous nephews, as well as numerous great nieces and great nephews. A Graveside Service will be held Thursday May 22 at the Visalia Public Cemetery at 1100am. A reception will be held after the service at the home of Gary's brother and sister-in-law. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations, in the memory of Gary, be sent to: American Cancer Society, Valley Oak SPCA, Kaweah Health Hospice Foundation, or your own favorite charity.