Gary Baumgartner

April 18, 1948 - June 30, 2018

GARY BAUMGARTNER, 70 of Madrid, passed away Saturday, June 30, 2018, at the Perkins County Hospital in Grant. Gary was born April 18, 1948, at Omaha, Nebraska to John and Mary (Nelson) Baumgartner. He graduated from North Platte St. Pat's with the class of 1966. On December 28, 1968, Gary married Vicki Daigger. The couple moved to Denver where Gary attended college before being drafted into the U.S. Army. Following his discharge, the couple lived in Denver, where Gary worked as a truck driver. Their union was blessed with two children, Tye and Leah. In May of 1980, they moved to Madrid to be closer to family. Gary took over his father-in-law's welding shop in the mid-1980's and ran the shop for over 30 years. Upon retirement, Gary passed the welding shop along to his son, Tye. He still enjoyed going into the shop every day and checking in on things. Gary liked cars, motorcycles, and basically anything that would go fast; the more chrome, the better. Over the years, Gary came to enjoy the social aspect of his work. He was gratified by being able to help people out when they were in a jam, which was typically when his welding services came to be needed. Gary was a business first, play later kind of man, but he softened in his later years. In retirement, he enjoyed keeping a garden, feeding the birds, and trapping the squirrels that always seemed to come and raid his bird feeders. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. Gary was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Vicki of Madrid; son, Tye (Jennifer) Baumgartner of Madrid; daughter, Leah (Jon) Mussmann of Omaha; grandchildren, Zoe, Grayson, Caius, and Everleigh; sister, Diane (Mark) Brodbeck of San Marcos, California; along with several other relatives and friends. A memorial has been established in Gary's memory. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com. Memorial services will be Monday, July 9, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the Grant Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Russ Gaar officiating. Inurnment with military honors will be in the Ft. McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell. Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.