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Obituary for Gary Oldfather

Gary  Oldfather
Gary A Oldfather
Quincy, WA
After an extended illness, Gary went home to
be with the Lord, his Savior, on July 17, 2015
at the age of 71. He was surrounded by family
members. Gary was born on January 31,
1944 in Tacoma, WA to William “Bill” & Mary
Elizabeth Oldfather. After his graduation from
Wenatchee High School in 1962, Gary started
working at Great Northern Railroad (Burlington
Northern Santa Fe) in Wenatchee. He married
his high school sweetheart, Judy Carstensen,
on February 21, 1965. In December 1965
,he was drafted into the US Army and fought in the Vietnam War
as a front line radio operator, attaining the rank of SGT E5. He
was awarded the Bronze Star and was honorably discharged in
November 1967.
After his discharge, he and his wife Judy moved to Seattle, WA ,
where his daughters, Denise and Kristi were born. He returned to
work for the railroad. In 1972, the family moved to Quincy ,WA, where
Gary continued working for the railroad as a signal maintainer. Gary
retired from the railroad in 2003 with 41 years of service. When his
girls were young, he was involved in the Quincy Jaycees, coached
4-6th grade boys’ basketball and taught hunter safety classes. He
enjoyed fishing and camping with his family, as well as trap shooting
and golf. After retirement, he and his wife Judy moved out to the
Quincy Golf Course where he enjoyed golfing almost every day
during the summer. They were “snowbirds” and spent each winter
in Sun City West, AZ where Gary practiced his mighty drives and did
have a “hole in one” in 2013. In later years, they added bingo to
their activities.
His final weeks were under the care of Central Washington Hospital,
Confluence Health and CWH Hospice. The family thanks all the staff
for their affections, kindness, compassion and support.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Judy, of 50 years, his daughter
Denise Miller of Cashmere and daughter and son-in-law, Kristi &
Jeff Hawk of East Wenatchee; Granddaughter Aleshandra Miller
and Grandsons, Christopher Miller, Colby Hawk and Conner Hawk;
sister Carrol (Jim) Reeves of Richland, WA/Melbourne, AR and
brother Donald (Joan) Oldfather of Clayton, CA. He is also survived
by a number of nieces, nephews and cousins who adored him and
who will miss his stories, humor and laughter. He was preceded in
death by his parents, William & Mary Elizabeth Oldfather and sonin-law
William Ray Miller, Jr.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of his life to be
held Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 11:00 at the Quincy Free Methodist
Church, Quincy, WA with Pastor Ed Burns officiating. In lieu of flowers,
the family request donations are made in Gary’s name to Hospice
Foundation of NCW, PO Box 3406, Wenatchee, WA. 98807-3068
or a charity of your choice. Please leave a memory for the family
or sign their online guestbook at www.Scharbachs.com. Scharbach
Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy, WA is assisting the family with

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