Gary has been battling lung cancer this year, and Thursday morning he passed away.
I first met Kit and Gary at a convention several years ago, and we have been at some of the same
events here in Iowa together. Last year at Roxanne's get-together and earlier this spring at Josh's Hosta & Dessert Social.
Gary always had a twinkle in his eye and we always had fun talking whenever we were in the same place. This year at Josh's
it was cold & pouring rain when he got out of the car and opened up his umbrella that was easily twice as big as mine.
I hollared over to him: 'That's a big-ass umbrella!' Without missing a beat he said: 'Well I've got a big ass.'
I've laughed about that all summer!!
Gary and Kit got into hybridizing and growing seeds several years ago, and he brought me a beautifully streaked 'Lakesde Mom'
seedling when he came to my party in July. Every time I look at it I think how hard it would be to let go of a seedling that looks
that good. It was pretty special to me before, and it's even more special to me now.
Kit & Gary live in Springville which is about 15 mi east of Cedar Rapids, IA. Funeral services are Tuesday in Cedar Rapids.
There is a family evening on Monday.
The 1st pic is one taken by Jeff White of Gary at my party in Ankeny at the end of July. He looked so good that day, and I know he
had a wonderful time.
The 2nd pic was one I found of him online. It was taken in Feb. of this year at a garden fair in Cedar Rapids w/some of his seedlings.
- Gary Fillenworth Kirkwood Fair.jpg (22.3 KiB) Viewed 1671 times
