Gary Dale Lindsey August 23, 1948 – May 31, 2010
Gary Dale Lindsey was born August 23, 1948 in the old Decatur County Hospital in Leon, Iowa to William L. and Margaret Dale (Lionberger) Lindsey. He died May 31, 2010 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Gary grew up in Leon doing all the things that growing up in the 50s and 60s allowed kids in a small town to do — Cub Scouts, little league, piano lessons and shooting skunks with a bow and arrow.
Gary graduated from Leon high school with the class of 1966 where he participated in band, chorus, Boy Scouts, basketball and baseball, his first love. He was awarded the coveted Arion award for band and became an Eagle Scout. He then attended Drake University where he graduated with a journalism degree.
After college he joined the National Guard and returned to the Leon Journal-Reporter where he spent the next 40 years of his life promoting Leon and Decatur county, something his family has done for over 100 years. Gary was always behind the camera at community and sports events — reporting, recording and photographing the history of Decatur county.
On June 10, 1972 he married Bobette Lucille Rippey. They became the parents of Corey Robert and Cody Penniwell. Thus began the years of watching them participate in Cub Scouts, 4-H, FFA, band and piano, basketball, football and the most enjoyable baseball. He was already planning on grandson Luke becoming a left-handed pitcher.
Gary was active in his community — member of Leon Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Leon Retail Merchants, Leon Rodeo, Masons, Rotary and Iowa Press Association. He was a third generation Master Editor-Publisher and an Honorary FFA Member. Gary joined the Leon Volunteer Fire Department at age 18 and continued to serve throughout his life.
Gary was an active member of the Loving Chapel United Methodist Church in Leon. From the time he was eight, Gary played the organ and piano for church and for countless weddings and funerals over the years. He was always willing to help with building projects and wherever he was needed.
Gary was an avid gun collector and hunter. He enjoyed trading with gun ‘buddies.’ Through his hunting, Gary respected nature and God’s beauty. Gary enjoyed harvesting deer, turkey, elk and pheasant. A favorite hobby was target shooting with his sons, Corey and Cody. Gary learned and taught his sons about his passions. Gary was a lifetime member of the NRA.
Gary was looking forward to going elk hunting in Colorado with Cody this fall. Deer hunting in the fall was a family affair, including the grandchildren. Gary was always the last one to come out of the timber. When he wrestled and played games with Corey and Cody, Gary would say, ‘The day you get older than me is the day you can tell me what to do!’
To his grandchildren, Gary was the ‘Best Grandpa in the world.’ He helped them with chores. He played ball with all the grandchildren. He helped Mary with her 4-H all the time and told her she wasn’t too big to sit on his lap. He snuggled with Mary and Maizee when they were cold, picked up Maizee and helped her across the grass to avoid the ‘pokey’ bushes and held Mac when he fussed -‘ they would fall asleep together. Lucas and Bree loved their ‘Papa’ and enjoyed playing with him. He taught them how to shoot a basketball and gave them their first ‘car’ — with Luke at the wheel and Bree on the phone. He was always picking up the kids and carrying them.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William Robert Lindsey, and mother-in-law, Thelma Rippey.
He is survived by his wife, Bobette Lindsey; son, Corey and Tonya Lindsey, Mary, Maizee and Macson; son, Cody and Maggie Lindsey, Lucas and Breegan; father-in-law, Bob Rippey; sister-in-law, Pati Lindsey, Kris, Paige and Brian; brother-in-law, John and Charlotte Rippey, TyLea and Kate, all of Leon, Iowa, and other relatives and many friends.
Gary loved to see others succeed whether it was in business or school. Gary always put others first and he put himself second just to lend a helping hand. Through the years Gary was a hard worker, lived honorably, thought soundly and influenced unselfishly.
Funeral services were Friday, June 4, 2010, at Loving Chapel United Methodist Church in Leon with Rev. Lyle Ball, Jim Lane and Deacon Reinhold Kunze officiating. Burial was in Leon Cemetery, with Military Honors by Cowl-Scott American Legion Post #80 of Leon. Arrangements were through Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home of Leon.
Memorials may be given to Loving Chapel United Methodist Church or a memorial fund that the family will determine later.
