MONTE VISTA — Gary Thomas Neamon, 69, of San Diego, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019. 

He passed the way he lived: courageously and peacefully, with faith in God, and in the arms of his daughter, with his wife by his side.   

Gary was born in Olean, N.Y., on Sept. 25, 1950, and raised in Delevan, N.Y. 

He graduated from Pioneer Central High School and went on to play college football in Colorado at TSJC, earned an AA and met the love of his life, Mary Catherine Romero. He played football at Adams State, and married Mary in August of 1972.  In 1980, Gary became a father.

He worked in the private sector for 15 years before spending 25 years as a teacher and coach at Center High School.  He was an avid mountain biker, road biker, skier and world traveler.

In January of 2012, Gary became a grandfather to identical twin girls.

In July of 2013, Gary and Mary moved to San Diego to live with and care for their granddaughters. He lived in San Diego until his passing. Gary was a loyal, honest and hard-working man, whose word was his bond. He will be greatly missed.

Gary is survived by: wife Mary, daughter, Jessica; granddaughters, Alexandra and Catherine; family by choice: Rex and Kathy Dickman, Gil and Bertha Gonzales, and Dave Furukawa; biological sisters, Patricia (Michael) Warner, Susan (Randy) Lester, Barbara (Rick) Muskopf, Margaret Kline and Kathleen (Mike) Riley; and many nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Laura Neamon; brother, Don Neamon; and niece, Hannah Kline.

Gary’s rosary will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Monte Vista, where he was a parishioner and Knight of Columbus for over 20 years.

His vigil is Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. and his memorial mass is Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph’s.