Sergeant First Class Gary Don Neilson
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Sergeant First Class, E-7, Gary Don Neilson, age 77, passed peacefully holding his wife's hand at Denton Medical City on February 27, 2022 after a struggle with health issues.
Gary was born to Robert "Bob" Neilson and Norma Lee (Rickard) Neilson on January 21, 1945 in Amarillo, Texas. He lived many years in Lewisville, Texas before they bought the ranch in Krum, Texas.
Gary was a proud Patriot and served as an Airborne Medic in Texas Army National Guard 20 years active and 20 years Call Up Reserve. He was Production Control at Texas Instruments for 23 years when he left to go to Denco Machine & Tool where he retired in 2010.
Gary's servant heart continued with Lewisville Parents & Friends of the FFA/4H officer and volunteer for many years, Texas Red Angus Association Director and Steer Classifier at Houston & San Antonio Stock Shows, Blue Ribbon Club Officer, Lewisville Pee Wee football & soccer coach, Lenten Build projects & Board of Trustees at FUMC Denton. Fort Worth Stock Show Ambassador. He enjoyed deer hunting with his son, Brad, and friends. He was an absolute artist with a riding lawn mower.
Gary was preceded in death by his Parents, twin sons Rex and Roy, his brother, Terry Neilson, his sister, Pamela Neilson-Knudson, his Father-In Law, Frank Smith, Sr., his Mother-In-Law, Katerine (Smith) Maddox and husband, Jack Maddox.
Gary leaves behind his wife of nearly 55 years, Martha Smith Neilson, his children, Brad Neilson and wife Carla, Sally (Neilson) Bridges and Brad (B2), His granddaughters, Sawyer Neilson, Sadie Neilson, Harley Bridges and Cristina Hennigan, his great-granddaughters, Rowan Mae and Clementine 'Bea", his aunt, Ullabell Koop, his Brother-In-Law Ray Knudson, his Sister-In-Law, Gale Cunningham, his Brother-In-Law, Frank Smith, Jr. and wife Jean Ann. Many nieces & nephews that he thought of as his own, and his extra children that he acquired over the years.
Gary's celebration of life was held at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home at 740 Edmonds Ln, Lewisville, Texas on March 15, 2022 at 1 pm for visitation and service at 2 pm. His interment of ashes will be in the Clifton Cemetery next to Rex & Roy in Clifton, Texas with family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make a Memorial gift to Texas FFA at https://mytexasffa.org/grow or a donation to the Soroptimist "Time Out Program" PO Box 601, Gainesville, Texas 76240 where Gary spent every Wednesday morning