Obituary of Gary Voelker

Gary Voelker, beloved father, brother, and uncle passed away at the age of 81, on February 18, 2021 at Methodist Hospital – Richardson. Born in Kansas to Edna and Raymond Voelker, Gary lived his early years in and around the Kansas farming communities where the Voelker families have been since the 1860’s, and where extended family still reside and farm the land. Gary was a proud veteran who began his military career in the United States Army stationed in what was then West Germany. After serving in the Army, Gary transitioned to the Texas National Guard rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC) E7. Military service is a proud tradition held by the Voelker family going back many generations. When he wasn’t working and continuing into retirement, Gary enjoyed collecting timepieces, reading history and militaria material, watching westerns and sci-fi shows. His favorite vacations involved tropical climes, especially the island of Kauai, Hawaii. There he spent many afternoons photographing the scenery, drinking margaritas, and eating nachos at Brenneckes on Poipu Beach with his daughter and other family who vacationed with him. It was also there that he learned to never turn your back on the ocean (no matter how pretty the scenery is). Gary was extremely proud of his loving daughter (aka “his little girl”), Valerie DeViller and her husband Drew, of Plumas Lake, California who were there to care for him at various times throughout his retirement years. He is survived by his brother Terry Voelker, of Leonard, Texas and his sister, Jeanette Holuk of Montesano, Washington, as well as other family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, and brother-in-law. “May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, And, until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.” Visitation is March 8th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Merit Memorial Funeral and Cremation Care, 12801 North Stemmons Fwy, #803, Farmers Branch, Texas. The Funeral will follow at 2:15 p.m. at the DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, Texas. Memorial donations may be made in Gary’s name to ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.