Gary Linn Rothwell

ROTHWELL, Gary Linn
Our beloved Gary Linn Rothwell went to be with the Lord Tuesday evening, April 14, 2009, in Roseville. We will miss his blue eyes and ready smile. He was born June 19, 1943, at the Old Fort Hospital in Taft, California, the first son of Merle M. and Janice (Cawelti) Rothwell. During grade school Gary began a life-long love for music by learning to play the harmonica and trumpet and later French horn in the Bakersfield High Orchestra and Driller Band. As a member of Bakersfield College's Renegade Band he performed at the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle after winning the Jr. Rose Bowl marching competition. Gary married his sweetheart Gail Kimball in 1964. He earned his BA at San Diego State College and was employed as a counselor at the State Youth Training School in Chino while he earned his MS degree. In 1972 he took a research analyst position with the State Dept of Rehabilitation, moved with Gail and infant son Scott to Sacramento, and two years later their daughter Kristin was born. As an accounting systems analyst with the Dept. of Finance he helped in the development of the CalStars statewide accounting system. He retired in 2003 from that Dept after 34 years of total State service. He was an active participant in his children's soccer, scouts, music and school activities, as well as church ministries at First Covenant Church and Adventure Christian Church. His favorite ministries were the nursery, children's church and worship orchestra. He also played in several community bands including American Legion Post 61, the Legionnaires Dance Band and being an inaugural member of the Capital Pops Concert Band. He was an avid bicyclist, rode centuries, commuted daily, and was President of the Sacramento Bike Hikers. Gary and Gail enjoyed camping with family and friends and touring America in their RV, as well as taking several cruises including a dream trip to Singapore, Bali and Australia. Unfortunately, physical weakness due to a carcinoid tumor precluded Gary from participating in many of the retirement activities he had looked forward to serving. Gary was preceded in death by his brother Richard. He is survived by Gail, his devoted wife of nearly 45 years; his loving children, Scott (Cristina) of Sacramento and Kristin of San Diego; his parents of Bakersfield; his sisters, Patricia of Bakersfield and Nancy (Bruce) of Abbeville, SC; his brother James (Martha) of York, ME; nieces and nephews, many cousins and special friends. A celebration of his life will be held at 11am, Saturday, May 2, 2009, at First Covenant Church, 10933 Progress Court, Rancho Cordova, CA 95827. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in his name may be made to First Covenant Church Children's Ministry, P.O. Box 276450, Rancho Cordova, CA 95827; Capital Pops Music Memorial Fund, 7900 Via Roma Drive, Fair Oaks, CA 95628; First Call Home Care and Hospice, 6929 Sunrise Blvd., Suite 180, Citrus Heights, CA 95610; or Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.