In Memory

Gary Petry

Gary Petry

A person in a suit and tie

Description automatically generatedGary J Petry was born on February 7, 1949 in Rockville Centre, New York (on Long Island) to Joseph Petry and Janet Noble Petry. He spent his early years on Long Island before moving to Wichita, Kansas where he grew up with his two sisters and was named the top male graduate and prom king at Wichita North High School. He attended both Wichita State University and the University of Kansas where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. 

Upon graduation, he drove his 1965 Mustang to Houston, Texas to start his career and there he was blessed to find the love of his life, his sweetheart, and his everything. On July 10, 1976, he married Gloria Ann Gott at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Crowley, Louisiana, Gloria’s hometown. After starting their family in Houston, they moved to San Ramon, California for a short period of time before hurrying back to Texas and settling in the Cinco Ranch area of Katy, where they found their forever home. 

Gary was a beloved husband to Gloria and a dedicated and caring father to his three children: Stephanie, Katie, and Andrew. He was always in attendance at every one of his children’s events, whether it was a swim meet, choir concert, basketball game, soccer game, tennis match, Boy Scout campout, or awards ceremony. He was their biggest fan and always found a way to make his family his priority. He enjoyed coaching his children’s sports teams, and when they were young, he would take them to swim laps to practice for their swim meets, after which he would treat them to frozen yogurt. Gary always loved sports and staying active. He would often be seen walking their dog, Bentley, around the Cinco Ranch lakes with Gloria and his children or regularly at the Katy YMCA with Katie, where he was either working out, or more often than not, socializing with friends. Gary would also ride his bike behind Andrew when his son went out for long runs in the neighborhood and would give him motivation and encouragement to go one more mile. Gary’s favorite evening routine was staying in, eating ice cream, and sharing laughs while recounting the day’s events with his family. When the grandchildren were old enough, he cherished the opportunity to take them to get donuts in the morning during the many visits that Stephanie and family made to Houston.

Gary’s quick wit, humor and endearing nature enabled him to form friendships with anyone he encountered. He never met a stranger and people were drawn to his charm. Gary always had a funny story to tell, like he was letting you in on a secret that made you want to lean in and listen. He had the ability to remember the smallest details that people shared with him, and he showed a genuine interest in everyone. He loved to tell jokes and make people laugh, and with his playful and teasing spirit, he always came up with the most clever nicknames for friends and family, which have stuck with them until this day. 

Gary was an experienced CPA and had a great financial mind, retiring as a chief financial officer after a rewarding 41-year career in finance and accounting. Among his greatest accomplishments, however, he was a mentor to his children. With his wealth of knowledge, steadfast morality, caring heart, and incredible ability to listen, his children always sought him out for advice and guidance. He was truly their best friend. With the birth of his grandchildren, he graduated to being “PawPaw,” ushering in a new generation of children that adored him. Above all else, Gary was a man of faith and through his strength and deep trust in God, Gary served as an example of God’s love for his children and grandchildren.

Gary J Petry passed away on Monday, October 30, 2023, in Katy, Texas at the age of 74 after nearly a decade of battling Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Gloria Petry; children, Stephanie Petry Buehner and her husband Chad, Katie Petry Clendenen and her husband John, and Andrew Petry; sisters, Gale Petry Norby and her husband Jeff, and Jo Ellen Rogers; grandchildren, Garrett, Allie, and Cameron Buehner; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Janet Noble Petry and Joseph Kuhn Petry; and in-laws, Hilda Fremaux Gott and Charles Samuel Gott.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at the Schmidt Funeral Home Grand Parkway Chapel, in Katy, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. On Friday, November 10, 2023, a welcome and eulogy will be followed by a funeral mass, celebrated at 10:45 a.m. at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church, in Katy. A private family interment at Katy Magnolia Cemetery will be held on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial gifts may do so to Houston Area Parkinson Society, at www.haps.org. 

Pallbearers will be Andrew Petry, Chad Buehner, John Clendenen, Jeff Norby, Drew Norby, and Ethan Norby. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Gott, John-Michael Gott, Sean-Paul Gott and Kyle Slusser.

 



 
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11/29/23 01:01 PM #1    

Kenneth McMillen

 

So sorry to hear of the loss of another one of our dear !967 Redskin classmates. My deepest condolences to his family. 

 


11/29/23 05:07 PM #2    

Mike Creed

Gary was my friend. A good friend. From Jr High through HS we spent many hours together on the basketball court and on the baseball field. He made me a better player with his encouragement and always pushing me to do a little bit better. I am forever grateful for our time together. My sincere condolences to Gloria and the family. 


11/29/23 10:11 PM #3    

Terry Richmond

My deepest condolences to the Petry family. I was privileged to know Gary for only a few years, junior high school and high school. He was a great athlete and I got to play baseball and basketball with him. In addition to Gary's sports skills, what I remember most was his positive attitude and good humor. I truly liked spending time with him. I think he brought out the best in me, as well as many others! Thank you, Gary.


11/30/23 04:20 PM #4    

John/Rocky Gawthrop

Gary was a great guy. We played basketball and baseball together. After high school we both went to WSU and pledged the same fraternity. We decided we wanted to transfer to KU and were roommates for 2 years. Gary moved to Texas and we lost touch for awhile. I would see Gary when he would return to Wichita. Gary was really intelligent with a great personality. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

 


12/01/23 10:07 AM #5    

Craig Steward

Gary Petry! John Marshall and North High were Blessed to have Gary grace their halls! I was never a close friend with Gary as we were not in the same social or sports circles. Gary was a Friend to everyone and a Light of positive for all. All the times we did share were mostly school athletics or simply greeting in hall ways. God Bless Gary, Family, Loved Ones and Friends!


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