John Donald Garry

John passed away on April 14th, 2020, in the arms of his wife, while in ICU care at Menorah Medical Center, bravely battling COVID-19.  Services will begin at 10:00 AM Friday, July 3 ^rd 2020, at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Garretson. The service is open to anyone wishing to attend in honor of John. The family will be practicing social distancing and would ask those attending to also use safety measures.

He lives on through his wife, Alexandra Wolken, mother, Julie Garry (Mark Vandersnick), brother, Adam Garry (Jen), and their children, Jack, Tate, LouLu and Brody, in-laws Steve and Gail Wolken, brother-in-law Doug Wolken (Brittany) and numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Welcoming John’s Soul are his father, Jeff Garry, grandparents, Don and Sybel Johnson, Gerald and Genevieve “Toots” Garry, and his cherished Bernese Mountain dog, Forbin.

John was born September 16, 1985 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he spent his early childhood surrounded by the love of family and friends. Through his teen years, the bond he shared with his close friends deepened around a mutual love of music.  John treasured live music and attended countless shows and festivals featuring his favorite band, Phish.

Upon completion of his primary education, the love of snowboarding and the mountains called John to Colorado to begin his college education.  While attending school in Fort Collins, CO, he met his soulmate and partner in life, Alie. Ten years to the day after their first date, the two were married on October 9th, 2018 in the company of immediate family and close friends at Joshua Tree National Park.  Alie and John have made Kansas City, Missouri their home since 2012. The two have been devoted parents to fur babies, Sol, Forbin, Bombay, Aesop, and Newton.

As an important team member of his family’s business, Outdoor Gear, Inc., John worked side by side with his mother and brother for the entirety of his professional career.  His compassion, thoughtfulness and unique perspective will be missed by all those that had the pleasure of interacting with him in the winter sports business.

Throughout the years, John made it a priority to remain in contact with his many friends. The impact John had with his friends is best summed up in a recent note:

”Garry – we love you, dude. All we can say is you were one hell of a friend.”

John loved going to the dog park with Alie, family time at the lake, snowboarding, music, working in his yard, traveling with Alie, discovering all the newest and coolest “things,” watching and quoting movies, and…sneakers!

John had the biggest, most compassionate heart, always putting others before himself.  His fun loving spirit, kind / gentle approach, and desire to always help others will be missed by all who were blessed to know him.

John will be cremated with a portion of his ashes to be buried with his father.  The remaining will be spread among the places John loved.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date when social distancing guidelines have been relaxed.  John had an immense love for all animals and the family will be donating all memorials to Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary (ofsds.org).

The family would especially like to thank the doctors and nurses of Menorah Medical ICU for their heroic and compassionate treatment of John under such extraordinary circumstances.

As John’s tattoo reminded us, “whatever you do, take care of your shoes.”