Shared Stories
“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could ever
give another person. He believed in me.”
– Jim Valvano
“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could ever
give another person. He believed in me.”
– Jim Valvano
4/2/2020 7 Comments Memories of Gary/Dad/Pop PopWe welcome you to share stories of your special moments with our father! Your memories will be shared with generations to come and cherished by all. I'll start with this... I remember as a young child, living in Mechanicsville, MD in St. Mary's County, I would wake up and give my dad a hug before he left for work. I would watch out the window of my bedroom and wave until he was all the way up the street. He waved back until he couldn't any more. I remember he had a single bench truck so you could see him out the back window. I remember doing this for many years. Another story... When I left Maryland to live in Colorado with my now ex, I came home from work to find a huge box sitting in our kitchen. I wondered what the heck it was, then all of a sudden the box flew up and out pops my dad. I was so shocked that I screamed and cried while hugging him. It was the first time I was completely surprised. - Tracy
7 Comments
Theresa Brooks
4/3/2020 08:23:31 am
Genuine kindness comes to mind, when reflecting upon Gary Holmberg. He was a shining example of humanities benevolence. Gary always viewed the good in people and he gave his best to them. I was constantly in awe of his humble generosity for others; he ignited in one's self to do more for those around us. His culinary skills were delicious and I always looked forward to his gracious hospitality. The evenings when we would play Wii Bowling along with he and Susie were hilarious; I can still hear the laughter! Such good times to cherish. His smile was true and those kind blue eyes.... I am grateful to have called him my friend. Theresa Brooks
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Jim Holmberg
4/4/2020 04:20:39 am
Gary's ability to make people laugh was only surpassed by his caring for others. As a firefighter, I know he saved lives and brought at least one baby into the world and he volunteered with the Red Cross during Hurrican Katrina and the problems later on in Houston, TX. I'm also know as do other members of his family and his friends, that Gary loved to play tricks and make people laugh. Well, Gary introduced me to the "Funnel Trick"! He started by sticking a funnel inside his pants, between his belt and his belly. He put his head back and placed a nickel on his forehead. The object, he said, was to bring your head down so the nickel would slide off and land in the funnel. He did it successfully a couple times and told me to try it. I stuck the funnel inside my pants, took the nickel and put my head back......when I did that, he poured his beer into the funnel. There I was looking like I had wet my pants. Yeah, I'm still laughing too.
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Christine Reid
4/4/2020 10:41:38 am
Tracy— Your dad pulled that big box prank too on my mom, but instead it was me under the box visiting from CO!! He loved surprises and making others laugh! He made the best hash browns, which I have tried many times to replicate without success. And he loved that one eye open one eye shut trick— something else I’ve never seen duplicated. Godspeed Gary!
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Susie Dunaway
4/5/2020 04:25:41 am
Gary always looked forward to, & Loved our summer adventures with Ava & Alyssa to Water Country, Great Wolf Lodge, The Zoo & various other shenanigans....He was always making horse lips/sounds as we drove by a pasture just to hear them laugh. I have so many wonderful memories of our time together, One of my favorites was seeing the joy on his face & the kids, when he dressed up as Santa pulling a wagon of gifts into my classroom for the student with multiple disabilities , the kids were so excited. He visited often & truly enjoyed it. He was a True friend to all, Loving children & animals, especially those in need. He spent time teaching his cat ‘Choppers’ to do tricks like a dog, which was quite entertaining. Gary you were my best friend for many years & I feel blessed to have known you. I will love you forever , till we meet again. Susie
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Mal Lightfoot
4/5/2020 03:06:20 pm
The times we shared were all too few and too brief. But during those times and subsequent phone calls, I came to realize how much Gary and I shared. Not only were we cousins, we were brother IAFF fire fighters. During Katrina, Gary drove from Houston over here to see us. I was at my second job, but Sherry joined us and we had lunch at Subway. I will miss him greatly.
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Jason Ware
4/6/2020 05:40:29 pm
I met your dad back in 2008 when I started working part-time at the golf course here in Virginia where he was living... We hit it off right away when he saw my professional firefighter plates on my car.. We shared some stories of the job And he passed on Some knowledge that I still use to this day... I actually carry a couple of his tools in my gear pocket every day... I really valued his friendship and I was sad when he moved away...I’m so sorry for your loss
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4/9/2020 04:21:30 am
I met Gary and Charlie when he was living at Country Meadows. We formed a connection right away. Each night I did the Happy Hour Gary would be there. We would tease each other back and forth.....and we both looked forward to it. I only had one sibling -a brother that I loss when he was 28 and I was 24 to a car accident. I felt like Gary filled that "brother relationship" that I loss many years ago. My brother liked to joke and tease like Gary did! Gary was a kind loving person! He knew I loved olives. One day he shows up at Happy Hour with a gift for me. It was wrapped in floral paper : ) It was a BIG jar of olives. That is one of the best gifts I have ever received! Living in the Independent Living neighborhood at Country Meadows meant he had to do his own lunch. His dinner meal was provided but for lunch he was on his own. I use to worry he was not eating lunch....I knew he and I both shared a love of Vienna Sausages...so I would bring him some.
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