Gary Emil SCHELL

Gary Emil Schell, 75, of Pullman, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2024, at his second home in Alexandria, Virginia.

Gary was born on September 11, 1948, in Maddock, North Dakota to Emil and Maryhelen Schell. When he was two-years-old Gary's father Emil, drove the family to Seattle in a Bulletnose Studebaker and began a career in banking. Gary grew up in small towns in north central Washington and graduated from Ritzville High School in 1966.

Gary went on to study Agricultural Economics and Business at Washington State University. While at WSU, Gary was involved in on-campus activities, joined Phi Gamma Delta, and was a part of the WSU Chinook yearbook staff, where he met his future wife, Sue Daiger.

After graduating, Gary began his three-decade career in banking. In 1971, he landed his first job in eastern Oregon and married Sue in 1972. In 1974, the newlyweds moved back to Pullman where Gary became a loan officer with the Bank of Pullman which had been started with his father, Emil Schell as President. After Emil retired, Gary became the President of the Bank of Pullman and expanded with branches in area towns. Gary had a passion for serving others and helping new businesses get started and working with Palouse area farmers.

In 2004, Gary began a new career with Beasley Realty. Even before Gary became a licensed real estate broker, he bought his first apartment in 1977, with his father and brother, Dale Schell. The brothers joined together to become GDS Properties, owning several apartments and building Evergreen Mini-Storage.

From helping people find homes to mentoring the next generation, Gary had the heart of a servant and took care of those in need. For nearly 30 years, Gary served as the chapter advisor for Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI). In this role, he advised, mentored and managed the chapter house for decades. Gary loved the fraternity and often joked it kept him young. In 2004, Gary was awarded the Durrance Award for outstanding chapter advisor, the organization's highest honor.

Gary was a very active member of the Pullman community. He served on Trustees, Building and Grounds for Community Congregational United Church of Christ, as well as singing in the choir. He was a 50-year member of the Pullman Rotary Club. And served as a board member of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce, the Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation, and Treasurer of the Washington State Jr. Miss board.

Gary loved three things: the Washington State Cougars, classic cars and his family. He embodied Cougar pride, evident by an entire wardrobe of Crimson and Gray. He even drove crimson pickup trucks over the years and was a season ticket holder to WSU football, basketball and volleyball. On weekends, Gary loved to take his two classic Studebakers to car shows and drove his convertibles in many local parades. Of all of Gary's achievements, the greatest was his family. From zipping across town or traveling across the country to visit his two daughters and watch his four grandchildren dance, play sports and attempt to beat him at dominoes - nothing meant more to Gary than his family.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Maryhelen Schell. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sue; brother, Dale (Kathy) Schell of Brentwood and Indio, California; two daughters, Emily Schell (Brian) Jones and Evie (Vlad) Cartwright of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren Ingrid Jones, Georgia Cartwright, William Jones and Gretchen Cartwright; aunt and uncle, Sylvia and Keith Roys of Columbia, MO; and niece, Maria (Mike) Moran of Portland, OR.

Gary had an amazing ability to not take himself or life too seriously. And in true Gary fashion, at his celebration of life, guests donned their finest "Cougar" attire, and his favorite Beach Boys song closed out the tribute. Services were held at Community Congregational United Church of Christ on February 17, 2024.