Gary Dean Showalter, 67, joined heaven’s choir on February 13, 2023. Gary was born on July 12, 1955 in Taylorville, IL to Dean Maurice and Marcella Fern (Spring) Showalter.
Gary was a follower of Jesus Christ, the most wonderful brother, a devoted husband, the best dad, and a very proud Papa.
Gary grew up with his loving family in Taylorville, where his passion for music was launched in the 6th grade through a lead role in the play “Huck Finn.” After high school, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Eastern Illinois University and later a Master’s in Church Music Education from Scarritt College.
Gary’s longstanding joy of serving in church, combined with his education and God-given musical talents, led to a Director of Music career spanning 32 years and 4 churches (1981 Ft. Stockton, TX; 1986 Roswell, NM; 1993 Alamogordo, NM; 1998 Kingwood, TX where he married his second wife, Sonia). After retirement in 2013, Gary began his role as Chief Assistant to the CEO at Sonia Showalter Designs.
Whether at work or outside of work, Gary was always glorifying God through his selfless love of others. He was a celebrity amongst the toddlers as he played guitar while singing his original songs from many verses of the Scriptures. Gary’s smile, laughter, and joyful heart for God were contagious for everyone he met.
Gary is survived by his wife of 21 years, Sonia Showalter, his daughters with his first wife, Maria Showalter: Charlotte (Chris) Dragon and their children (Moriah, Gianna, William) and Heather (Travis) Turnbull and their children (Jerry, Louie), Sonia’s daughters: Jennifer Kluttz and her children (Tyler, Adam, John) and Shannon (Travis) Bencs and their daughters (Chandler, Madelynn (Maddie), Kensley), Gary’s sister Diane Nolan, nephew Brian (wife, Taylor) Nolan, uncle and aunt (Al and Rossie Showalter), and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Mike Nolan.
A visitation will be held at Darst Funeral Home (796 Russell Palmer Rd, Kingwood, TX) on Monday, February 20 from 5pm-7pm. Please sign the “Tree of Life” registry book upon arrival and bring your favorite photo memory (printed) to share and leave with the family to compile a collage for the memorial service.
A funeral service will be held at Kingwood Methodist Church on Tuesday, February 21 at 1:00pm with a reception to follow.
For those desiring to support a charity in Gary’s honor, the family recommends the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship (midlandinstitute.com), a foundation started by Gary’s late best friend, or the Music Ministry of Kingwood Methodist Church, Kingwood, TX.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 20, 2023 at Darst Funeral Home, 700 Russell Palmer Rd., Kingwood, TX 77339. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at Kingwood Methodist Church, 1799 Woodland Hills, Kingwood, TX 77339. Reception to follow.
To express your sympathy with a flower arrangement please contact our florist.
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12 Responses
To Gary’s family, Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage and strength to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts. Gary was a shining light in this world. He will be missed. Until we meet again, keep that heavenly choir going! Bless all Gary’s family and friends.
God be with you ’til we meet again
By His counsel’s guide uphold you
With His sheep securely fold you
God be with you ’til we meet again
RIP
I still remember Gary’s solo in about 1975 at the FIrst United Meth Church in Taylorvllle. It was “To God Be The GLory” Gary certainly lived out that song. I feel so honored to have been a part of Gary’s early life.
Sincerest sympathies
Ron Lindvahl
Blessings to you and your family as you traverse those hard times. Your “fans” continue to lift you up in the coming days.
We, Tom, Bettie, Brady and Trudy Corn, we’re so blessed by knowing Gary when we were all at FUMC in Roswell, NM. Gary was the song leader of the church choir, but also of Heaven Connexion, the youth choir which Brady and Trudy were part of in their High School years. The summers were youth Choir trips to different parts of the country to perform Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, etc. Bettie was able to go along and be a sponsor. Gary was always a positive influence on our kids with his love for the Lord and his sense of humor. He sponsored Bettie on the Walk to Emmaus! Gary sang at Trudy’s wedding in 1996! Wonderful memories! Thank you Lord for the blessing of knowing Gary Showalter!
God be with the family and Sonia as you learn to live without Gary. Prayers for your comfort.
All love and sympathy to you and your family. He will be so missed by all who knew him. Wishes and prayers to you, Sonia, for the strength required to go forward after the beautiful life you and Gary shared.
Peace be with the family and friends of such a caring man.
On behalf of the members (fans) of the
Florida Sewing Sew-ciety.
I want you to know how wonderful you were to me, you walked me through any computer problems I had while sewing out your wife’s design or forgetting my password. You showed me how to store my thread and make it so much easier to keep track of the colors I had! Your amazing Gary and I still appreciate everything you did for me! May Angels bless you and your family with your passing, most of all whisper in their ear because I know they’ll be missing you!
We have many pleasant memories of Gary: leading the choir, singing in the choir, playing with the Brass, singing solos, and just always making himself useful and pleasant. Our condolences to his wife, children, extended family, and church family and friends. His presence was felt, and it will be missed.
Red and Linda Dumas Bernal (Who frequently watched from the back row.)
May the good Lord wrap his loving and healing arms around you and your family during this most difficult time. Know how much Gary loved you and hold those thoughts close to your heart each and every day until you meet again on the other side. Until then, stay strong !
Heaven’s choir just gained a beautiful voice and an even more beautiful spirit.
Gary was one of the most positive persons we’ve ever met.
God’s blessings and comfort to Sonia, his children and extended family.