Gary Cecil Rhoads

Gary Cecil Rhoads passed away on September 14, 2025 at his home in Denver Colorado in his sleep of a heart attack.

Gary was a very dedicated father and a hard worker, he loved life and enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending many weekends at Stanley Lake with his sister Carol and our entire family.

Gary was passionate and loved collecting guns and knives. His collection of knives grew to over 500 of them and he was very proud to show them off.

Gary was born on June 4,1944 to Cecil and Luella Rhoads in Imperial Nebraska. Gary grew up in Nebraska and eventually moved to Colorado in 1957 with his family where they resided in Lakewood.

Gary graduated from Lakewood High School in 1963 and married his high school sweetheart Sharon Land In 1966. Gary and Sharon had two children, Gary Dean and Terri De-Ann.

Gary and Sharon divorced, and Gary met Diane Knoll whom he spent many years with and together they had a son Corey Devon Knoll.

Both Sharon and Diane have since passed away. Gary has 3 grandchildren, from Gary Dean and his wife Laura. Megan, Jordan and Gary Austin, and 3 grand children from Terri and Jerry Pierce, Brandon, Bradon, and Bryce. Gary has 2 great-grandchildren, Gracie and Austin from his oldest granddaughter Megan and her husband Jacob.

Gary worked in many fields, from laying carpet, to doing landscaping, until he began his career with Goldberg Plastics. Gary worked at Goldberg until the business closed. Gary moved on to work for Briggs Plastics and ended his working career at Walmart as head of maintenance in the Thornton location. Gary enjoyed this position as it allowed him to meet and make many friends.

In 2016 Gary suffered a stroke, which affected his speech and his ability to walk. He was determined to be self-sufficient and was eventually able to live alone and cook for himself.

Gary was proceeded in death by grandparents Elmer and Lattie Rhoads, Ray and Maude Surber, Father Cecil and Mother Luella, brother-in-law Myron Gardner, nephew Darin Gardner.

Gary is survived by his son Gary Dean and Laura and Family, his daughter Terri and Jared and family and his son Corey.

A funeral will be held on Tuesday September 23, 2025 at The Crossing Church of the Nazarene 3501 W. 104th Ave Westminster, Co 80031 Viewing will be 10:00am and Funeral Services at 11:00am.

Celebration of life will follow at the church. We will have a gravesite service on 9/24/2025 at 1:00pm at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Imperial Nebraska where we will lay him to rest next to his parents.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.liewerfuneralhome.com

Liewer funeral home entrusted with arrangements.