Michael, Garrett 'Gary' James

Garrett “Gary” James Michael, 71, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, at the home of his fiancee, surrounded by loved ones. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Matthew Catholic Church, by the Rev. David Beckman. A vigil service will be at 6 p.m. Friday, with a rosary to follow, at Teahen Funeral Home, where friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m., and again Saturday after 9 a.m. at the church. Military honors presented by VFW Post 788.

He is survived by one sister, Beverly Calvert; one brother, Robert Michael (Nina Musick); and fiancee, Mary Walke, all of Cedar Rapids; two cousins, Julie (Dennis) Orris and family of Center Junction and Joan Montoya of Long Beach, Calif. Mary's sons, Bill and John Walke, and their families of Claremore, Okla.; and many extraordinary nieces, nephews and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; stepsister, Barbara Meacham; nephew, Brett Pickart; brother- in-law, Ronald Calvert.

Gary was born July 20, 1940, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Howard Henry and Catherine Ellen (Riley) Michael. He attended school at Immaculate Conception and graduated from Regis High School in 1959. He also attended Loras College. Gary briefly joined the Order of Alexian Brothers in Chicago (but found a life of silence was not his calling - as anyone who knew him would understand). He was also a member of the U.S. Air Force, serving in the Vietnam Theater. Gary was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church and VFW Post 788.

Gary received a second chance at life on July 22, 1996, after receiving an organ transplant at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. He retired from Rockwell Collins in 2002 and then worked as a courier for Weland Lab.

Online condolences may be left for the family at

Memorials may be given to St. Matthew's Catholic Church or Hospice of Mercy.