Dear Caring Bridge followers,

It is with tears of sorrow for our loss, but tears of joy for Gary's gain that I share with you that Gary ended his battle with cancer today. God took him gently, which was my prayer, surrounded by our 5 children, 4 sons-in-law, his first grandchild, his sister Gail and nephew Paul. We had already planned a gathering this past weekend to celebrate Gary's 69th birthday (11/11) and God in his gracious attention to details just worked it out so no one was absent.

Since Gary's last blog and our return from from his last radiation treatment at MAYO, he had struggled with weakness and weight loss and difficulty swallowing which led to more weight loss and weakness and difficulty swallowing. As he became weaker his shortness of breath became worse and even with draining his chest tube he still had air hunger. After fighting his cancer for 16 years he was weary. We had a family talk and the kids initially said they would like him to keep fighting, the following day however they were able to observe his struggle. He told us all he was ready to be with the Lord and we told him we were ready to be alongside him as he made that journey.

As heart wrenching as it was, it was still a beautiful privilege to care for Gary over the 2 1/2 days before he died. Lots of hugs, caresses, sharing of our hearts and gratitude for the father, husband, uncle and mentor he had been. If our bed had been bigger I think there would have been 10 people in it with him sometimes! Gary was blessed with visits from friends and neighbors who shared their gratitude for his influence in their lives. We are so very grateful for all the prayers, encouragement and support that was given to Gary and our family.

One of Gary's greatest joys over the past especially hard 4 years of his cancer has been his chance to write about and share what God was teaching him in his CaringBridge posts. Thank you so much for following Gary in this journey. I know he felt your prayers and saw them answered many times.

Gary's dear friend Jeff Valentine will be leading us in a Celebration of Gary's Life this Saturday, November 17, 10 am at Missoula Alliance Church. A luncheon and fellowship will follow the service. Please join us if you can.

With Deepest Appreciation and Thanks,
Marlis Walter and family