Obituary of Gary Dale Foyt

GARY DALE FOYT May 1, 1961 – July 31, 2009 Gary Dale Foyt passed away at home on July 31, 2009 following a lengthy illness he battled most of his adult life. He was born on May 1, 1961 in Gardena, California to Jack Foyt and Carolyn Service. Gary was raised in Northern California, residing over the years in Camino, Placerville, Stockton, Sacramento, Crescent City and Modesto. He graduated from Beyer H.S. in Modesto, California in 1980. In High School Gary competed in wrestling and basketball. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served proudly as an aircraft ordnance technician aboard the aircraft carrier USS America. Following his military service, Gary returned to Modesto where he worked in construction. In 2000, following the passing of his mother, Gary relocated to Vancouver, Washington and continued to reside in the Portland-Vancouver area until his passing. In Portland, Gary worked as a cook, most recently for the Portland Rose Garden. He also completed paralegal training in 2003 and performed paralegal work on a contract basis for several Portland attorneys. Gary enjoyed watching sports and was a lifelong fan of the San Francisco Forty-Niners, San Francisco Giants and later the Portland Trail Blazers. He enjoyed fishing, camping and spending time with his family and seldom missed a family gathering. Gary also took great satisfaction from his lengthy involvement with City Team Ministries in Portland and their efforts to aid the poor and homeless. Gary is survived by his father and step-mother, Jack and Christine Foyt, brothers Jack and Curtis Foyt and Ben Stokes, sister Jennifer Coriell, Grandmother Bessie McGee and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Carolyn and Lincoln Service. A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 10th, at 3:00p.m. at Memorial Gardens; Vancouver, Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Gary's honor to City Team Ministries in Portland, Oregon.