Page created by: Julie Wilson

Gary Irl Stalcup, 80, of Rio Vista, California, passed away on October 13, 2024. Born on September 7, 1944, in Liberal, Kansas, Gary was known for his empathetic heart, bellowing voice and deep love for his family. A natural listener and someone who could bring warmth into any room, Gary was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

Gary graduated from Salina High School (Central High) in Salina, KS, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK. He later obtained a Master’s in Education from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.

Gary proudly served in the Army from 1968 to 1970, including a tour in Vietnam. He continued his service in the Army Reserve from 1975 to 2003, serving stateside in Alabama during Desert Storm.

Gary spent over three decades as an educator and administrator, shaping countless lives through his work. He began his teaching career in Abernathy, TX, where he taught History, Government, and Drama from 1970 to 1981. He then took on roles as a high school assistant principal in Mildred, TX, and middle school assistant principal at Delay Middle School in Lewisville, TX. From 1984 to 2000, he served as assistant principal at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, TX, where he became a respected leader in his community.

Gary was a man of deep faith and was actively involved in the Church of Christ congregations in Abernathy, Lewisville (Garden Ridge), and Rio Vista, CA.

He cherished simple pleasures like dining out and walking with his wife, Phyllis, and earned the nickname “Cookie Monster” for his love of chocolate chip cookies. Gary and Phyllis’ Sunday lunches at Salerno’s Italian Restaurant in Flower Mound, TX, were a family tradition. He would often be found staying up late watching a military documentary or reading a Griffin novel for the fourth time. A die-hard University of Oklahoma Sooners football fan, Gary traveled to Norman for home games and many championship and bowl games often with his brother Steve. He also loved traveling to the Bay Area (San Francisco) to visit his daughter, son-in-law, and beloved grandchildren, where the sound of his grandkids calling him "Sarge!" (Sarge-Pa) was music to his ears.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis, his daughter Julie, son-in-law Kyle, grandchildren Ella and Eli, his sister Charlotte and brothers John, Bob and Steve. He is also survived by 15 nieces and nephews (on the Stalcup and Bradford sides of the family). He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Stalcup.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in November. A Celebration of Life will take place at Garden Ridge Church of Christ in Lewisville, TX, in December.