Eagle Creek resident Gary VanCleve passed away at OHSU on March 31, 2010. He was 55.
A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Open Door Baptist Church located at 27710 SE Strebin Road in Troutdale. Burial will follow at Gary and Judy’s home in Eagle Creek.
Gary was born on October 4th, 1954 to B. and Freda (Cagle) VanCleve in Baytown, Texas.
Gary worked at United Foam as a Chemist when he met Judy Ann Garrick, his soulmate and started a relationship that would come to be a true love story. Gary and Judy were married on March 26th, 1983 in Newport, Oregon. Gary continued his education and held a Bachelor degree with many additional degrees in Computer Technology and Science.
Gary began his computer career at Cascade Utilities and proceeded on to a career with Willamette Industries and EDS where his talents were also utilized at companies such as Hewlett Packard, Weyerhauser and Xerox. He continued his employment with EDS until he began having Encephalopathy due to advanced liver failure.
Gary’s liver failure was due to a Blood Transfusion he received in the early 1970s because of an emergency Splenectomy. As of December 31st, 2009 Gary became number one on the OHSU liver transplant list. As in his life, Gary rose to all occasions and gracefully accepted life and death. He was humorous and valiant throughout his journey and had no fear.
Gary enjoyed Camping, fishing, boating, cooking, animals, Sci-fi movies, music with his favorites being Chicago, The Beatles, Steely Dan, Kenny G., Santana, Pink Floyd and most recently a song he heard as he was waking with his wife….The Love Song by the “The Cure” it reminded him of her. Gary was the light of all of our lives and our Hero. We wish he could be here to give us those 3 hour answers to one simple question; but will get those answers again in Heaven.
Gary is survived by his Wife, Judy A. VanCleve; his Mother, Freda Laylor; his Mother in law, Georgia A. Garrick; his daughters, Deanna McClain, Denice Carver, Darlene Osuch(Cousin Stanky), Debbie James and Devon VanCleve ;his Grandchildren, Hollie Meyer (Hallie), Courtney Engdall (Angel ), Chase Engdall (Chezzo), Chandler Carver, Shae J. Osuch, little Sage Osuch (Sagey), Bella and Mea Olson; his Great Granchildren, Macie Meyer, Malachi Meyer; his Brothers, Richard VanCleve, John Osuch,(son in law and brother by choice) and Todd VanCleve, Sisters, Kay VanCleve and Karri VanCleve; Uncle Bill VanCleve; Cousins, Tony Cagle and Pastor Bill VanCleve; son-in-law, Dennis James, and his precious little girls, Lilah, Peanut and Angel.