Garry Duwane Stadel

Garry DuWane Stadel, 77, of Olathe, was called home to his heavenly Father on February 18, 2022 at Villa St. Francis.

He was born July 27, 1944 to DuWane and Eliene (Stenger) Stadel at Topeka, KS. After graduating from Hoyt High School in 1962, Garry served our country in the U.S. Navy, serving three tours overseas.

On September 23rd 1968, he married Donna Marie Miller, making their home in Topeka, Kansas. July of 1992, they moved to Olathe, KS, to be near extended family.

Garry was raised on the family farm in Hoyt, Kansas, and as a result, was very skilled and had a natural bent for working with his hands. In the Navy, he built landing strips, bridges, and a variety of structures to support our troops.

In civilian life, he worked for Dupont, Goodyear Tire and Rubber, served as a Firefighter, and worked for Southwestern Bell as a phone repair field technician. Garry was a natural conversationalist, and very social, which led to a variety of sales oriented activities. He sold satellite dishes for a period of time. Eventually he started his own construction company, where he could use both his passion for building and repairing, as well as his salesmanship skills. He built his own house, barn, and round pen, which housed several of his horses. Later he started a car detailing company working with dealerships for several years. It's hard to say if he ever really retired, as he was always actively helping family members with projects, or others who were less fortunate in life. No matter the time of day or night, when someone needed help, he would always say, "I'm 10 minutes away!". He would often make the rounds with all the family members by calling to see how things were going and offering help if needed. Later in life Garry developed a passion for helping veterans who were struggling with PTSD through the H.E.R.O.E.S. Care organization. Since he was the ultimate optimist who had a lot of grit and a bulldog determination, this was a natural fit. He enjoyed fishing, especially in the family farm ponds. He enjoyed taking extended trips on his Gold Wing Aspencade motorcycle, to far away places like Alaska and Nova Scotia, camping along the way. Boating and water skiing was something always on the weekend agenda.

Garry was a follower of Christ, which guided him throughout his life. He was a member of the 1st Baptist Church in Topeka and subsequently College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe. Garry is survived by his loving wife, Donna, and their 13 year old Chihuahua, Bella; children Jeff and Joni Miller, Kevin and Jill Miller; grandchildren Justin and Jessie Kanatzar, Megan and Derek Ross, Kyle Miller, Jenna and Brian Mentzer, Jake and Jayden Miller; great grandchildren Trinity Robleado, Kinsley Ross, Brayden and Bryson Mentzer; Daisy Hopkins; brothers Darrel Stadel, Rodney and Beth Stadel and six nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents DuWane Stadel and Eliene (Stenger) Stadel.

Suggested memorials to either the Heroes Care 330 Sun Valley Circle, Fenton, MO 63026
https://www.heroescare.org, or Ministries of College Church of the Nazarene, 2020 East Sheridan, Olathe, KS 66062.


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