Fletcher, Gary Wayne

Gary Wayne Fletcher passed on Feb. 6, 2013, at Mercy Iowa City after a long illness associated with heart failure. Funeral services will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Private family committal services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established as The Gary Fletcher Memorial Fund.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Gary was born Aug. 12, 1942, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the oldest of four sons born to Vernon and Ruthe (Hammond) Fletcher. Gary grew up in Crawfordsville, Iowa, where he was a member of the United Church of Crawfordsville. He graduated in 1960 from Crawfordsville High School, where he participated in baseball and basketball and played catcher on the State Baseball Championship team.

After graduating from Barber College in Cedar Rapids, Gary began his barbering career at Meyers Barber Shop in Iowa City. It was in Iowa City where Gary met and fell in love with Sharon Ann Kupka. Sheri and Gary were married on Dec. 29, 1963, at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. Gary and Sheri raised three children, Mick Fletcher, Sarah Fletcher and Maggie Fletcher Wagenknecht, all of Iowa City. Gary continued to play baseball and softball in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids after his children were born.

After his playing days were over, Gary enjoyed coaching Mick's Little League and Babe Ruth teams. Later he delighted in watching Mick play baseball and basketball for West High. Gary continued supporting West High sports watching his grandsons Noah and Kyle play football the past two years. Gary played the proud grandfather role on the weekends cheering for granddaughters Maddie, Olivia, Kara and Maya as they played soccer and basketball.

In addition to his profession as a barber, Gary was also employed at the Annex, Connell Beverage and later General Pest Control. Gary purchased General Pest Control and Hawkeye Pest Control in 1983. Gary was admired for his work ethic and his loyalty to the customers he served and to his employees. Gary retired from the pest control business in 2010.

An avid Hawkeye fan describes Gary; he attended Iowa football and basketball games for 50 years! He was a Golden Hawk, an I-Club member, and attended the Quarterback Club every Monday during football season. He really enjoyed playing golf with his friends, his many golf treks to Arizona and playing in leagues and tournaments. Gary also enjoyed his many friends at the American Legion's Pickers group. On Wednesday Gary could always be found playing cards with his specials buddies.

Gary is survived by Sheri, his wife of 49 years; a son, Michael “Mick” Fletcher and his wife, Ann, and their children, Madeline and Olivia; daughter, Sarah Fletcher and her partner, David Cahill, and Sarah's son, Noah Barrows; daughter, Maggie Fletcher Wagenknecht and her husband, Scott, and their children, Kara and Maya. Gary had a special son, Cedric Haynes, and grandson, Kyle Payne, who are part of the Fletcher family. Gary is also survived by two brothers, Glen Fletcher of Phoenix, Ariz., and Stan Fletcher of Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.; brother-in-law, Chuck Kupka and his wife, Jan, of Cedar Rapids; many nieces and nephews; and his special black dog, Rondo.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Steve; and Sheri's parents, Bob and Jean Kupka.

Gary's family would like to thank everyone for their many thoughts and prayers. A special thank you to Dr. Jennifer Goerbig-Campbell and Dr. Dwayne Campbell; the nursing staff at the University of Iowa Heart Center, the nursing staff on the Cardiology unit at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and the staff of Mercy's Hospice Unit. Thank you to special friends Aaron and Brandy Klosterman.

Published Feb. 7, 2013 in The Gazette