Gary Mark Wilson, or as many of you affectionately knew him, "Big G", "daddy knuckles", or the ever so cherished "papa", of Thornton, Colorado, has finally taken that epic cross-country road trip. Born on August 14, 1957, in Des Moines, IA, Gary spent his illustrious 66 years on this earth squeezing every bit of joy and laughter out of it. With his charismatic charm and spirited wit, Gary could light up a room faster than his beloved hot rods could burn rubber.
A true Dodge man through and through, Gary had an infectious love for the open road, the roar of a well-tuned engine, and the endless possibilities of a well-stocked man shed. But don't let his love for horsepower fool you. This rough and tumble truck driver for Denver Air had a heart as soft as the fur on an English bulldog, and no Ford could ever find its way into his garage or his affections. His knack for landscaping was only surpassed by his love for his family, especially his two granddaughters, who were undoubtedly his favorite people in the world.
Gary is survived by his daughters, Joanna Fellows and Jessica Kauffman; his ex-wife, Roberta Wilson; his siblings, Terri Christopher, Jeff Wilson, Roger and Cindy Vandel; his granddaughters, Savannah and Rilynn Acerbi; his son-in-law, Ben Kauffman; his sister-in-law, Brenda Hyle; his niece and nephew, Julia Wilson and Dave Wiskus; and an impressive collection of cousins including Brenda Miller, Grant Kerr, Doug Elmore, Rick Elmore, Ron Shockey, and Robert McFail. He is also preceded in death by his father, Richard Wilson; his mother, Evelyn Wilson; his brother, Larry Wilson; and his nephew, Chad Wilson.
As we remember Gary, we're reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Gary's light certainly shone brightly in this world, and we have no doubts that he's currently brightening up heaven with his ever-present wit and charm, probably while debating the superior virtues of Dodge over Ford with the angels.
Please, share your memories, stories, and photos of Gary on his memorial page. Let's keep his loving and witty spirit alive, one story and one laugh at a time.