Gary Lee Barfknecht

Gary Lee Barfknecht was born August 5, 1944, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, to Helen Frieda Schindler and Emil John Barfknecht. His baptism as an infant in the Lutheran church was just the beginning of a beautiful, lifelong, loving relationship with his Lord and Savior. His favorite scripture was the 23rd Psalm, beautiful, encouraging verses in the Bible. Gary was a devoted Christian throughout his life, exemplifying faithfulness, sacrificial love, forgiveness, genuine care, and tenderness for family. He raised his family in church, setting a strong foundation for a lasting legacy of love and strength.

In retrospect of God's divine timeline, it is perfectly fitting that a car was pivotal in the beginning of Gary and Elaine's love story. Her dad was selling a car at the Heinrich's home in Oregon, and the rest is history. Gary had a "deep, make-your-heart-flutter voice" and was "tall, dark-haired, and handsome," as his Sweetheart described him upon her first encounter with the love of her life.

He courted his opera-singing sweetheart by singing to her: "Treat me nice, treat me good, treat me like you really should, I'm not made of wood, and I don't have a wooden heart!" So precious, "that's MY man, my precious Gary!" She cherished her man, falling madly in love with him, and he with her, and they celebrated 54 and a half beautiful years together!! He was a totally faithful, devoted husband and father and adored his family.

As a kid growing up on the family farm in Wisconsin, he enjoyed playing in the haymows. He did NOT, however, particularly enjoy having to pick out the many, many rocks in their fields. Other good memories included the times when 16-year-old Gary and Billy K. ate ice cream drumsticks at his dad's station. He said that was a definite "YUM!" 😋😋

At a young age and throughout his life, Gary loved wiring things! His favorite memory of his childhood home was wiring everything in it: speakers, intercoms, transmitters, antennas, shortwave radios. After wiring their family's cow barn in high school, their cows were extra happy, dancing to Elvis singing songs from G.I. Blues. Later in life, he served at People's Church running the sound and making tapes. Electronics and gadgets inspired him at his own home. He even wired the outdoor area to light up the firepit area for a special summertime ambiance!

A true and talented mechanic at heart, he loved driving his 2-door, 1940 Ford, also a 1955 Ford, a 1957 DeSoto, and big sister Joyce's NEW 1964 Plymouth, which she allowed her newly graduated brother Gary and two of his friends to drive to Oregon from Wisconsin to visit family. Another notable memory for him was when little sister Julie dressed him up in the latest styles, making him feel stylish and classy!

A few years after graduating high school, Gary joined the Army and furthered his knowledge of turbine generators, electrical repairs, and making things work.

Gary's hands and heart mastered the inner workings of cars as he kept their gas station and family-owned West Gate Auto repair shop operating like a well-oiled machine!! He and younger brother Lee were known for integrity and excellence and were well-beloved by their dear customers.

While the "Shop" was central to Gary's life, he always took time to be present for all the sports Michelle and Elisa played in throughout middle school, high school, and college. He enjoyed being the official family videographer and also loved editing and creating his own movies with his latest new technology and video equipment treasures.

With his expertise in electronics, Gary set up a large screen tent, complete with TVs and all kinds of electronic "essentials," which enhanced the enjoyment of many a summer night with his family and friends!

Anyone who knew Gary knew he loved silly things, anything to get a laugh or smile, parading his trinket box with simple critters and fun "junk" to show anyone who was interested!

Another interest was music. Gary expressed his musical side by picking up his guitar or the accordion and playing a tune. His favorite instrument was probably the guitar, and he enjoyed picking away anytime he could! Some favorite songs he'd play were: "House of the Rising Sun," "Beantown USA," "The Fox Went Out to Chase One Night," "Little Black Egg," "5 Foot 2, Eyes of Blue," "Tequila," "Walk Don't Run," and "Green, Green Grass of Home."

A song he loved as a kid was, "In your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it... in the Easter parade!" But topping the list as Gary's favorite song was "LANA" by Roy Orbison and, of course, anything Elvis, especially "Love Me Tender." The cute song, "I love you, a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck," also became a family favorite. Some most-loved songs were Elaine singing "The Lord's Prayer," "Oh Holy Night," or any little ditty she'd sing to him.

Gary always made things FUN, FUN, FUN-everything was a party!! Another part of the party fun in Gary's life was playing "Smear," a generations-old traditional card game in the Barfknecht family. Always up for a party and a card game, Gary could bid 6 on a terrible hand and still come out on top. Family hangout time was special, and he was often delighted by the surprise hello from an impromptu drop-in by Michelle's husband, Jason, coming to see him on a motorcycle ride. He taught us to laugh and enjoy simple joys and to love family.

He also enjoyed his food, and if allowed, he could eat a tub of ice cream in a single night! In his legacy book, he listed some favorite foods. Having a tough time deciding on just one, he finally put MEATBALLS at the top of his list... then came Walery's Pizza, tater tots, but definitely NOT veggies!! He also enjoyed Braunschweiger and pickled herring, occasional smoked salmon, COLD hot dogs, macaroons, cookie dough, raw pie dough, ice cream sandwiches or drumsticks, Eskimo pies, cold Pepsi at a flea market, and coffee with Morgan, Skip, or anytime!

Selling his "stuff" at flea markets was an activity eagerly anticipated. After early morning coffee and breakfast, the wheeling and dealing began. He'd give good deals right up until the day's end! One memorable flea market was always the Chemeketa Father's Day Flea Market and Car Show with Michelle, Skip, and the crew. What fun it was!

Probably one of Gary's favorite outings, which he and the family looked forward to every year, was the Brooks Antique Powerland, affectionately known as THE STEAM UP! No matter how many times he'd been there and seen it before, he loved seeing the nostalgia of all the old tractors and machines of days gone by and the memories of operating some of them himself on the family farm. Numerous treasured memories were made when going to the Steam UP with "Poppy," which was the endearing name he was called by Elisa's kids, Lally, Caleb, and Matthew. Their eyes soaked it all in as Poppy and Grammy showed them all the delights-from the trucks, blacksmith, sawmill, tractor rides, downing homemade ice cream, riding the speeder, the double-decker, and the little train. It was especially fun for them when Aaron (Elisa's husband) was supervising the gate. Special memories were also made when Gary took them on other family train rides and adventures.

Before meeting the love of his life, Gary would capture whoever was willing to join him on a driving adventure, often going to various plays, musicals, and even a jet boat ride up the river. Very early rising was no problem for him as he shared the joy and beauty of early morning hot air balloon dates with his family, even chasing them down to watch the landing!

His Sweetie, Elaine, loved to drive too, thus beginning a favorite time together-anniversary road trips-sometimes hitting the road spontaneously without a destination in mind! One of their favorite destinations was the Tillamook Cheese Factory, not just to get squeaky cheese, but just to enjoy each other, the ride, and the thrill of the road!!

Other memorable road trips include when he drove the "good ole' OOOGA" motor home across the country for a family vacation. Other much-loved destinations were Sisters, Bend, Shaniko, and the top of the Steens Mountains!

Though Gary did NOT like structured exercise, he always stayed lean and in shape somehow! This could be partly attributed to enjoying working outdoors on his land. At times he worked so hard we likened him to "a true mountain goat"! With his brush mower, he would mow the steep hillside property. He was amazing to watch and loved the attention and didn't mind an audience!! He passed along the quality of being a hard worker.

He was also a tender romantic at his core. He enjoyed watching happily-ever-after, romantic movies like Just My Type, Snowed Inn Christmas, Anne of Green Gables, and Pride & Prejudice with his Sweetheart and family. Other favorite movies were Horatio's Drive, Miss Potter, Down Periscope, as well as any Elvis movie. He also loved and enjoyed TV shows like The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, and I Love Lucy. The inspired "Too Late, Ethel" saying was one of many fun, uniquely-Gary expressions, as well as others like the sweet, "Where's my koozie?" (kiss). Just being together and enjoying a chuckle and each other, especially his Sweetheart, would bring a tender, sweet pucker and special sparkle to his eyes.

Gary is cherished as a truly PRECIOUS husband, DADDIO, Papa Bear, and Poppy. He gave us such rock-solid loyalty, provision, and faithfulness throughout every day of his 81 years (a new adventure has begun as he celebrated his first day of his 82nd year relocated in Heaven with Jesus). He gave us a TRUE LEGACY that we are so proud of-a life well-lived, full of love, gratitude, honor, faithfulness, joy, and laughter.

THANK YOU, SWEETHEART. THANK YOU, DADDIO. WE LOVE YOU FOREVER!!

♥️ 💋 ♥️ 💋 ♥️