Gary Wayne Everett

On the evening of June 5, 2024, Gary Wayne Everett, beloved husband, dad, brother, friend, and servant of God, ran into the loving arms of his heavenly father. After a debilitating years-long fight with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, he passed peacefully, in the watchful presence of his devoted wife, Jeannie. It was 10:25 p.m.

His journey had begun nearly 76 years before, on August 24, 1948, when proud parents Irl and Lois Everett welcomed their baby boy into the world. Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Gary was the youngest of three, and as the only boy, he quickly gained the adoration of his big sisters Nancy (the middle child) and Janet (the oldest). The sisters often delighted in their brother's innocent antics and, in a particularly unforgettable moment in Gary's preschool years, gave him the nickname "Mafe," a term of endearment that would stick for a lifetime.

Gary and his parents and siblings faithfully attended the Assemblies of God church in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he made lifelong friends. As a boy, he dreamed of being a farmer, and he raised chickens as a hobby. He was an Eagle Scout and, in high school, became president of the Future Farmers of America, through which he contributed to many agricultural exhibits at the Nebraska State Fair. Attending the fair in Lincoln each year was also one of his favorite summer pastimes.

In 1967, Gary graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School, but his plan to pursue an agricultural degree at the University of Nebraska changed when he felt God's calling to attend North Central Bible College in Minneapolis. There, he met his first steady girlfriend at North Central—Jeannie Thaut, of Hastings, Nebraska—and in 1970, they married.

The couple moved back to their home state and had their first son, Jason, in 1971. Gary transferred to Peru State Teachers College, where he graduated in 1972 with a degree in geography. Thereafter, they moved to Kansas City, where he attended the Baptist Theological Seminary. Then in 1974, their second child, Amy, was born. Their last child, Patrick, was born in 1978.

After college, Gary worked for BNSF (Burlington Northern-Sante Fe) Railroad, where he was employed for thirty years in various capacities, including in management. He was a loyal and dedicated employee, moving to locations throughout Nebraska, Illinois, Colorado, and Kansas with his job, and all with his family in tow.

Despite the changes that came with relocating, however, Gary remained consistent in his faith and service to God. With each move, he and Jeannie would set down new roots, join a church, and usually find a way to serve. Gary's service over the decades included being a church board member for more than twenty years and often ministering through music, either singing in the choir or as a soloist. He also enjoyed a stint as a member of a men's gospel quartet. But Gary's largest contribution in church, by far, was leading the faith-based "boy scouts" group, the Royal Rangers. Through his active service as a Royal Rangers leader, which spanned more than forty years in various churches, he undoubtedly impacted the lives of countless young boys for the glory of God. The last church that Gary served at was Faith Chapel Assemblies of God, located in Overland Park, Kansas, where he and Jeannie landed during his last years with the railroad and settled in after retirement, twenty-eight years in all.

When he wasn't serving, Gary could usually be found enjoying one of his many varied interests and hobbies. He especially loved setting up and running his model trains through the miniature town he created in his basement just for this purpose. A collector of stamps, antiques, and memorabilia, Gary also dabbled in carpentry and liked putting puzzles together. He was a proud motorcycle owner, and he would never miss a chance to cheer on the Chiefs or Huskers in football.

His continued interest in agriculture showed up in his love of cultivating plants and flowers in their yard, and in his earlier years, in raising and showing pigeons each year at the fair. He also participated in the annual Camp Creek Threshers show in Nebraska, displaying a small collection of gas engines from antique farm implements.

Gary also enjoyed camping and fishing, and his favorite holiday was the Fourth of July. He loved spending every Independence Day entertaining family, attending the Stillwater parade, working the grill, and shooting off fireworks.

A friend to all, Gary never met a stranger. He was always the first to get acquainted with neighbors and church visitors. Anyone who knew him would tell you that he had a legendary laugh, and he could always be relied upon for a solid dad joke.

Most important, however, was Gary's love for God. He cherished God's word and read the Bible through six times. He also loved his spouse, his children and grandchildren, his church family, and his friends. To all of them, he left a legacy of faith, humor, and service.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Jeannie Everett of Overland Park, Kansas; his sister Janet Smith of Lincoln, Nebraska, along with her husband, Fred; his son Jason Everett of Wichita, Kansas, along with Jason's wife, Lynn, and their sons Lucas and Josiah; his daughter Amy Bond of Springfield, Missouri, along with her husband, Blue, and their children Ryan, Cyan and Garrett; and his son Patrick Everett of Silver Creek, Nebraska, along with his wife, Nguyen, and their children Walker, Jaclyn, Mazee, and PollyAnna.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, at Faith Chapel, located at 15000 Newton Drive in Overland Park, Kansas.

Inurnment will take place Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 10:00 am - Parkview Cemetery 1246 N Elm Ave, Hastings, NE 68901.

This was a life well-lived by a child of God, a family man, a hard worker, a friend to all, and one who is much loved.
Happy trails to you, Gary . . . until we meet again.


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