Gary W. Mockler

Gary W. Mockler passed away peacefully at home on April 17, 2020, at the age of 82. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, attended Catholic grade schools and graduated from St. Louis University (Jesuit) High School. He played football and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis. After college he was a beer truck driver for the Budweiser distributor just outside of St. Louis. In 1969, he got noticed by Anheuser-Busch and started his A-B career in Kansas City, MO. After several moves, including Baton Rouge, Houston, Dallas and back to St. Louis, Gary was promoted to Regional Sales Vice President over 8 states for Anheuser-Busch. In 1987, he had the opportunity to purchase the Budweiser distributor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Gary, his wife Rita, and two sons Tim and Patrick all moved to Baton Rouge and started Mockler Beverage Company. A proud Catholic and U.S. Marine, Gary was guided by strong ethics and the belief that the Lord gives you all things, and therefore expects you to give back. Since its founding in 1987, one of Mockler Beverage Company's core values has been to be generous to charitable organizations in and around the Baton Rouge area. In an interview for an award he was receiving from a charitable organization, he said, "One day, if I get to go to see the Big Guy upstairs, he's going to ask me, 'What did you do for your fellow man?' "and I want to have an answer." Gary received numerous business and philanthropic awards over the years. To name a few: Baton Rouge Business Report's 1997 Businessman of the year and Inducted into Business Hall of Fame in 2010, 2002 Tribute to Excellence Award from the Arthritis Association of Louisiana, 2003 Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, 2004 & 2006 Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful's Clean Business of the Year, 2006 Outstanding Leadership in Corporate Philanthropy from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, 2010 Golden Deeds Award Recipient. Gary believed that his life had not only been blessed with a successful business with his family, but also with the opportunity to share his business with his employees, who meant the world to him, especially Doug Mackey. Gary essentially had one hobby, Mockler Beverage. He loved the beer business, and the people in it, with a great passion. He was so proud to be the BudMan and a BeerMan! In retirement years, Gary enjoyed the simple things in life, such as his grandkids, going to their games and school events and watching old John Wayne movies on his couch in between his beautiful wife, Rita, and his dogs. Gary will be forever missed by those who knew him. He was their biggest cheerleader, a role he will continue from Heaven. He was a true gentleman with a generous spirit, a business leader and a philanthropist. Gary Mockler is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rita Gardner Mockler; sons, Timothy and wife Kimberly, Patrick and wife Shelley; 9 grandchildren Taylor, Ryan, Shelby, Erin, Riley, Sean, Brynn, Patrick and Cooper; and great-granddaughter Juliet. He is also survived by his brother, Edward (Retired Colonel, Marine Corps) and wife Sara; nieces Beth Poe and Laura Schultz; sister-in-law Dixie Wehrle; nephew Dana Wehrle; and brother-in-law Kevin Gardner. He is preceded in death by his parents Peggy and Edward Mockler; brother-in-law Don Wehrle; sister-in-law Yvonne Mockler; and nephew Michael Mockler. The Mockler family extends special thanks to Gary and Rita's wonderful caregivers Fay Hunt, Kay Duvall, Faye Labauve and Laurie Quebedeaux…Mockler's Angels. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a private Catholic Mass and Rite of Committal will be held at St. George Catholic Church. The Mockler family genuinely appreciates the outpouring of love, prayers and support they have received during this most difficult time. Both Gary and Rita were treated successfully at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mary Bird Perkins in the name of Gary W. Mockler. He would leave you with a final goodbye saying, "This Bud's for you!"