Gary Lee Drawbaugh

Gary Lee Drawbaugh was born October 8, 1938 in Monroe, Nebraska to Fred and Lola (Taylor) Drawbaugh. He grew up in Monroe, and attended school there, graduating from Monroe High School in 1956. As a young boy, Gary was active in sports at school, including high school football and track. He spent the majority of his free time hunting and fishing. Gary served his country in the United States Navy from November 1956 until his honorable discharge in September 1959 from active duty. Gary married Judy Walgreen on March 11, 1961 in Columbus, Nebraska, and to this union, three children were born: Candi, Lori, and Scott. His job took the family from Columbus to Fremont, Nebraska, onto Sioux Falls, South Dakota, before finally settling in Omaha. Gary worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, and Earl May Garden Center, before owning and operating his own store, Village Hardware in Omaha. For the past 28 years, he was employed by Westlake Ace Hardware. He was sought out by many customers who could always count on him to provide the help they needed. Gary maintained his love of hunting and fishing, and always looked forward to fishing vacations in Minnesota, or “Drawbaugh Day” (a special day Gary invented to get the kids out of school to hunt or fish). Scott does not recall attending school on a Friday in the fall. Those days were spent on the Platte River up around Schuyler, duck hunting with his dad. On those family fishing trips, he always kept everyone alert on the boat. He would ask, “Lori, where’s your bobber?” (knowing she had a fish on the line, but she hadn’t noticed). On another occasion, Candi lost an entire pole when a fish pulled it over the side of the boat, and she sat quietly for an hour, afraid to tell her Dad what had happened. He enjoyed cooking for his family, and when complimented on his dish, was known to reply, “not too good, not too bad”. Gary loved sitting on the patio, reading (usually a western novel) and enjoying the beauty of the back yard. Candi could always count on him to bring her a glass of iced tea when she finished mowing. He cared deeply for Judy, even selling a favorite gun so he could take her to a Guy Lombardo concert. He would take her to get her hair done, and wait in the car, reading, until she was finished. He would tell her how beautiful she looked when she came out. The last few years, they enjoyed frequent trips to the casino. He was a Husker fan, who liked listening to country music or watching John Wayne movies. He enjoyed playing golf and played slow pitch softball for many years. Gary will be remembered as a loving and caring man, who cherished his family. Gary passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at the Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 75 years, 2 months, and 16 days. He is survived by his wife Judy, his son and daughter-in-law Scott and Debbie of Gardner, Kansas, daughters and sons-in-law: Candi and John Dennell and Lori and Vorace Packer, all of Omaha, and six grandchildren: Lindsey and husband Ryan Ueberrhein, Abby Dennell, Scott Packer, Jeff and wife, Kelsey Packer, Mason Drawbaugh, and Hailey Drawbaugh. Drawbaugh, Gary age 75 years of Omaha, NE Survived by wife Judy; son and daughter-in-law Scott and Debbie of Gardener, KS; daughters and sons-in-law Candi and John Dennell and Lori and Vorace Packer all of Omaha; 6 grandchildren; Memorial service Saturday 11 AM at the funeral home. Private interment.

Gary Lee Drawbaugh

October 8, 1938 - December 24, 2013