A Life Well-Lived

 

In Loving Memory of Gary Edward Fantz

July 30, 1938 – April 25, 2025

Gary Edward Fantz, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025, in Tigard, Oregon, at the age of 86.

Born on July 30, 1938, in Portland, Oregon, to Jim and Charlotte (Munger) Fantz, Gary spent his childhood in Portland, attending Multnomah and Ainsworth Elementary Schools and then Lincoln High School. It was at Lincoln where he played trombone in the marching band and met the love of his life, Gay Higdon. They built a rich and beautiful life together, raising two daughters, Kati and Kari.

Gary began his working life as a skilled Volkswagen and Porsche mechanic and proudly served six years in the United States Army Reserve as a Military Police Officer, traveling to training camps across the country. His sense of duty and service led him to a distinguished 30-year career with the Portland Police Bureau, where he served as a detective. During his tenure, Gary was honored with multiple awards and recognitions, including commendations from the Anti-Defamation League and Portland’s Southeast Asian community for his commitment and integrity.

A lifelong music lover and jazz enthusiast, Gary was very involved in the Oregon Jazz Society, regularly attending and volunteering at jazz festivals. He could often be found at local venues like Jimmy Mac’s, Wilf’s, or The 1905, enjoying performances by his favorite musicians. A talented musician himself, he enjoyed playing the piano, guitar, and trombone.

He was a Tigard High School Band Booster, traveling as a chaperone on trips to New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Eugene, and many other locations. He frequently was called on to create equipment for the band program, including building a mobile kitchen for the marching band.

Gary’s creative and generous spirit extended beyond music. He was a gifted woodworker and builder, constructing two family homes, including the cherished Fantz Beach House in Oceanside, Oregon, a beloved retreat which will be enjoyed by family and friends for generations to come.

Known for his commitment to community and family, Gary volunteered on multiple humanitarian trips to Honduras, helping with rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Mitch. He was always ready to lend a hand, offer support, or share a story.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of many decades, Gay Fantz; his daughters Kati Fantz McKee and Kari Fantz (Vicki Sands); his grandchildren Elizabeth McKee Wood (Brad), Eryn McKee, Kayla Fantz-Sands, and Jessica Fantz-Sands; and his brothers Ron Fantz (Virginia Kast) of Palm Springs, CA, and Chuck Fantz of Topeka, KS. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Mark McKee.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of Morningstar Memory Care of Beaverton for their respectful care during Gary’s final months.

A gathering to celebrate Gary’s life will be held on Saturday, June 14th from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at the Multnomah Arts Center, 7688 SW Capitol Highway, Portland. There will be snacks, drinks, good background jazz, and a chance to remember all of the special times we had with Gary.

All who knew and loved Gary and the family are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oregon Food Bank, an organization close to Gary’s heart.

Gary’s life was rich in love, music, creativity, and service. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered.

 

Yellow Skies

Tonight's dramatic sunset evoked memories for me of two similarly colored yellow-pink skies from my past. The first was October 12, 1962, as the winds of what became known as the Columbus Day Storm moved into the Portland area. Although I was a just month shy of turning 6, I still have a vivid recollection of sitting in my grandma's house and seeing the yellow sky through the big living room window.The destruction that followed was unprecedented in the Pacific Northwest.

The second was during the fall in the late 1990s, at the McKenzie Classic marching band show at Evergreen High School in Vancouver WA. Liz assisted me with the front ensemble for years, and we were standing with the kids at the ready gate, waiting for the Hockinson band to finish their Finals performance so that we could take the field. As we watched the sky becoming a rosy yellow, Liz looked at me and said “”What is wrong with your hair?” I looked back at her and, as her hair was standing almost straight up, I replied “What’s wrong with YOUR hair?” Just as I said that, I felt a little buzz zing across my cheek and realized that there was a tremendous amount of electricity in the air. And then, there was a huge noise as a bolt of lightning struck a school bus that was parked no more than 30 yards from where we were standing. There was a lot of commotion as we yelled at the students to run for cover, and shortly thereafter the sky darkened and a massive rainstorm ensued. I still can see the drum cases under the equipment truck, floating in the flooded parking lot.

So while I appreciated the beauty of the sunset tonight, when I checked the weather app and saw that thunderstorms were in the forecast for much of the evening, I did experience a little bit of a visceral reaction.  

 

Want to know more about the 1962 storm? Click on the link below.

CLICK HERE

 

Storm Damage October 12, 1962 - Newberg OR