Gary Gilley
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Transcript
LIFE STORY
Gary Edward Gilley, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at North Kansas City Hospital at the age of 78. He was surrounded by his loving family—his fiancé, Patti; his son, Marcus; and his nephew, Dawayne.
Gary was born on April 26, 1947, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Charles Luther Gilley and Carrie Elizabeth (Lacy) Gilley. As a lifelong resident of Kansas City, he graduated from Turner High School with the Class of 1965 and then attended Emporia State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business with an emphasis in Accounting.
Gary dedicated many years of his professional life to the healthcare industry, beginning as a surgical technician before moving into pediatric care, where he made a meaningful and lasting impact prior to his retirement in 1989. His work reflected a deep compassion and a sincere commitment to helping others.
Beyond his professional life, Gary was authentically himself—an artist who worked in a variety of media, including oil and watercolor painting, and who found great joy in creative expression. He pursued many hobbies and interests with enthusiasm and curiosity throughout his life. An avid reader, he had a lifelong thirst for knowledge and a love of books of all genres, though science fiction was his primary focus for much of his life. He was also a deeply religious man, and his faith was an important and guiding part of his life.
Gary will be deeply missed by his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His gentle spirit and warm presence made people feel at ease. He was loved for his steady presence, kind heart, and deep loyalty to those he loved. He will be remembered as a kind and friendly man with a warm, easy smile and thoughtful words for everyone he met. His legacy of kindness, creativity, and quiet strength will live on in the hearts of those he touched.
He was preceded in death by his Father, Charles Gilley; his mother, Carrie Gilley; sister, Bonnie Connor; and son Matthew Truslow.
Gary is survived by his fiancé, Patricia Kienast; his children, Marcus Gilley, David Truslow, Jennifer Truslow Carey, and Lori Campbell; his siblings, Terry Gilley and Bruce Gilley; his grandchildren, Hannah, Meghan, Benjamin, Jason, Sean, Angela, and Destinee; and a multitude of nieces and nephews whom he adored immensely.
SCRIPTURE
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going.”
PRAYER
