Gary Bruce Popejoy

JACKSONVILLE - Gary Bruce Popejoy, born July 28, 1948, passed away on August 8, 2024, at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife, Valerie (Gehrke), and five children, David (Nancy), Michael (Donna), Angela, Greg (Amy) and Danny, as well as eight brothers and sisters. His sixteen grandchildren were the light of his life (Jessica, Michael, Brandon, Mathew, Brooklynn, Jack, Chelsea, Haley, Cade, Breann, Tyler, Andrew, Zander, Alexia, Kandyce and Dominic). He is proceeded in death by his father, Curtis Popejoy (Jetty), his mother, Dortha Popejoy Romero (Albert), and two brothers, Curtis Wayne and Samuel Dean. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, spent his younger years in Southern California, and moved to Illinois where he raised his family, most recently residing in McHenry.
Gary worked as a mechanic and in maintenance and was well known as a "jack-of-all-trades" for his ability to fix anything. He served in the Air Force in the early 1970's and separated from service with the rank of A1C (Airman First Class) e3. In March 1974, the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing awarded him the TAC Maintenance Man Safety Award. As Assistant Crew Chief of an F-105G aircraft, Gary averted disaster by responding quickly to a fire in the aircraft hydraulic system, evacuating airmen and extinguishing the fire.
As a young man, Gary was an avid surfer. In his later years he enjoyed fishing, gardening and spending time with his grandkids. One of his great pleasures was sitting outside on a summer evening, enjoying the occasional pipe and bourbon. He loved animals, especially the numerous dogs he had over the course of his lifetime.
No services are pending at this time.