Thomas C. Gary

Age 99 -  Thomas (T.C.) C. Gary was born on October 29, 1923 to Minnie White Gary and Levi Gary in Bremond, Texas.  After the death of his mother, he moved to St. Joseph, Missouri to live with his aunt Mary Breshears as a young child.  He spent his summers with his first cousin Nellie “Nanny” Donaldson and her husband Grant in Omaha, Nebraska.  It was decided that he would permanently live in Omaha to attend school, they assumed the role of his mother and father.  T.C. attended Long School and graduated from Omaha Technical High School in 1943.  Shortly after graduation he entered into the United States Army serving with the 4366th Quartermaster Bakery Company in England, France and Germany during World War II.  He was honorably discharged in April 1946 and returned home in Omaha.  After several different job positions within the federal government (including mail carrier), he worked for the United States American Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Division as an Offset Print Operator for 23 years until he retired. 

T.C. met and married the beautiful Darlean Marie Wilson on December 10, 1955.  They welcomed two sons and one daughter.  They were married for 22 years, until Darlean’s untimely passing in November 1977. 

He was a very active member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church for over 50 years and served as an Usher, sung in the Senior Choir, Trustee, Finance Team and Sunday School Superintendent for over 60+ years.  T.C. was a quiet spirit, kind and a God fearing man who was not known to get angry or upset.  He loved Bethel and Bethel loved him back.  T.C. was also very active in his community, by serving as the President of the Kountze Park Neighborhood Association for over 20 years.  In 2003, he suffered a stroke that required him to step away from most of his church responsibilities and president obligations.  He remained active until moving to Round Rock, Texas in December of 2007.  T.C. joined Metropolitan AME Church in Austin, Texas in January 2008 and was a member until his passing.  He was an avid reader of the Upper Room and Bible daily, a diehard Nebraska Cornhusker fan and loved watching MSNBC from sun up to sun down. 

T.C. was preceded in death by his mother, father, Cousin/Mother Nellie and Grant, several brothers and sister Vera Jean Mulligan.

He leaves to cherish lifelong memories 2 sons, Harlan and Brian.  Daughter, Yolanda (Lionel), 3 grandchildren, Tanja, Jackie and Yasmyne, 3 great grandchildren, Yasmine, Amilya and Dennis J.  . Nieces, Minnie Pearl, Margie, Irene (Sam), Marsha (John), Alise (Tony), Marlene, G. Kaynette (Gus), Sharon (Wyndle Sr.), Ruth (Floyd), Beverly, Barbara and Jerri. Nephews, Elzie Jr., Anthony, Preston, Jeff and Stanley (Diane). A host of great nieces and nephews.  Good friend Ron Beck.

 Visitation: Thursday 5-7 PM at Ames Chapel. Funeral Service 11:00 AM Friday (3/17/2023) at Roeder Mortuary, 4932 Ames Avenue, Omaha, NE. Interment with military honors at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha, NE. 

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - Ames Chapel - 4932 Ames Ave - Omaha, NE - 402-453-5600  www.RoederMortuary.com