Gary Pirkle

Gary O. Pirkle, 73, of Hewitt, died Tuesday evening, after living with leukemia for a year. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, November 26, at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 25, in Bean’s Parlor at Grace Gardens Funeral Home.

Gary was born in Porter, Alabama, and his family moved to McCamey, Texas, when Gary was in the third grade. When he got to Texas, he could “draw” his first name. Gary graduated from Baylor University in 1974 with his Ed.D. He married Nita Baldridge in 1960 and in 1961 they moved to Waco to teach for M.T. Rice at Midway. After teaching biology at Midway High School, Gary became a counselor at T.S.T.C., and then began working at the VA Regional Office in Waco. He was the Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling Officer for a number of years, retiring after 28 years of serving veterans. At the time of his retirement, Gary was the longest-serving VR&C officer in the nation. He also served on the Midway ISD school board in the early 1980’s.

Gary was a loving and attentive father and grandfather, leading by example. He and Nita were avid Baylor Lady Bears basketball fans and season ticket holders. They also loved watching the Texas Rangers. After his retirement from VA, Gary was a substitute teacher in the Midway and West school systems. He enjoyed working in his yard, having breakfast at the Cracker Barrel with his friends, and helping his grandchildren grow up.

Gary and Nita were married 50 years, and had two children, Marla and Neal. Marla, and her husband, Mark Jaynes, gave Gary three grandchildren, Lauren, Garrett, and Katelyn. Neal, and his wife, Kim, gave Gary three grandchildren, Graham, Riley, and Nash. Gary also had two surviving brothers, Carl, of Maypearl, and Laurel, of Granbury.