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It's with a tremendously sad heart that I'm informing everyone of the passing of one of TBN's finest today. I can hardly believe that I'm writing this, but at approximately 3:30pm our amazing friend, Gary Himes (02TBIRD) passed from this earth and went to be with the Lord.
For those that know Gary and BJ personally, you know that they would do anything in the world for anyone in need. They have been involved with planning many TBN events, hard top relays, helped change COPs in parking lots for fellow owners and have opened their home to many TBN travelers over the years.
Gary had a history of heart problems, but has been healthier than most of us for all the years we have known him due to his personal willpower in following a strict diet and exercise routine. So it was completely unexpected when he suffered a severe coronary event on December 23rd that he was not able to recover from at the young age of 69. Bill Green, Rosetta and I were fortunate enough to be able to be there to try to lend a little support to BJ, his children, granddaughter and siblings. While we are all confident Gary is in a better place (he's probably taken a lap on God's racetrack already), please pray for BJ and the rest of the family and friends as they deal with the sadness of his loss. His passing is such a shock for all that knew him that their are a lot of folks hurting tonight.
As of now the details of his memorial service have not been finalized, but the family is hoping for it to be this Saturday December 31st. I will post the final plans as soon as we know something definitive. Several TBN members are already making plans to attend if at all possible and we will be driving our Thunderbirds in Gary's honor if weather permits. I will also post hotel arrangements that we make for those that can be with us.
UPDATE:
Gary's service will be Saturday morning December 31, 2016 at The Bible Church of Little Rock. Visitation will begin at 9:00am with the service to follow. After the service BJ has asked that all the Thunderbirds lead the funeral procession to the Forrest Hills cemetery for interment. Little Rock Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. If you would like to leave a note of tribute to Gary and/or a message to the family, you can do so at this link: http://www.littlerockfuneralhome.com...#!/TributeWall
I have made hotel arrangements for anyone that want's to come on Friday night (and stay Saturday night if you want) at:
Wingate By Wyndham
1212 S. Shackleford Road
Little Rock, AR
Call 501-712-3618 direct for reservations. Tell them you are with the "Friends of Gary" group and you should be able to reserve a king or two double bed room for $74/night plus tax. If there is any difficulty ask to speak to Phyllis, the manager, and she can get you hooked up.
We will make some type of dinner plans for Friday night. Since Saturday is New Years Eve, dinner might be a little more of play it by ear thing.
If you plan to join us (we need a count to plan things) or have any questions please respond on this thread or PM me, my email has been spotty at best over the past several days.
For those that can or can't be with us at the memorial service and would like to honor Gary's memory, BJ has suggested donations in lieu of flowers to either:
The Bible Church of Little Rock
19111 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72223
http://www.bclr.org/
or
Humane Society of Pulaski County
14600 Colonel Glenn Rd, Little Rock, AR 72210
http://warmhearts.org/
Either are very fitting charities to honor Gary. If you knew Gary you would definitely know that his church and his love of animals were very, very important to him.
We, as well as many others, could tell you so many stories about why we loved Gary, but I've posted enough tonight. If you have thoughts, stories, or other tributes you would like to make please leave them on this thread and we'll make sure that BJ gets them.
RIP Gary,
Paul & Rosetta
Just one of our fun times together - the evening we met Richard Rawlins from Gas Monkey Garage. Gary's grin is because he had coaxed Richard out of the garage for a photo op when the sign said closed for filming. Not many folks could turn down Gary when he put on the charm.
For those that know Gary and BJ personally, you know that they would do anything in the world for anyone in need. They have been involved with planning many TBN events, hard top relays, helped change COPs in parking lots for fellow owners and have opened their home to many TBN travelers over the years.
Gary had a history of heart problems, but has been healthier than most of us for all the years we have known him due to his personal willpower in following a strict diet and exercise routine. So it was completely unexpected when he suffered a severe coronary event on December 23rd that he was not able to recover from at the young age of 69. Bill Green, Rosetta and I were fortunate enough to be able to be there to try to lend a little support to BJ, his children, granddaughter and siblings. While we are all confident Gary is in a better place (he's probably taken a lap on God's racetrack already), please pray for BJ and the rest of the family and friends as they deal with the sadness of his loss. His passing is such a shock for all that knew him that their are a lot of folks hurting tonight.
As of now the details of his memorial service have not been finalized, but the family is hoping for it to be this Saturday December 31st. I will post the final plans as soon as we know something definitive. Several TBN members are already making plans to attend if at all possible and we will be driving our Thunderbirds in Gary's honor if weather permits. I will also post hotel arrangements that we make for those that can be with us.
UPDATE:
Gary's service will be Saturday morning December 31, 2016 at The Bible Church of Little Rock. Visitation will begin at 9:00am with the service to follow. After the service BJ has asked that all the Thunderbirds lead the funeral procession to the Forrest Hills cemetery for interment. Little Rock Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. If you would like to leave a note of tribute to Gary and/or a message to the family, you can do so at this link: http://www.littlerockfuneralhome.com...#!/TributeWall
I have made hotel arrangements for anyone that want's to come on Friday night (and stay Saturday night if you want) at:
Wingate By Wyndham
1212 S. Shackleford Road
Little Rock, AR
Call 501-712-3618 direct for reservations. Tell them you are with the "Friends of Gary" group and you should be able to reserve a king or two double bed room for $74/night plus tax. If there is any difficulty ask to speak to Phyllis, the manager, and she can get you hooked up.
We will make some type of dinner plans for Friday night. Since Saturday is New Years Eve, dinner might be a little more of play it by ear thing.
If you plan to join us (we need a count to plan things) or have any questions please respond on this thread or PM me, my email has been spotty at best over the past several days.
For those that can or can't be with us at the memorial service and would like to honor Gary's memory, BJ has suggested donations in lieu of flowers to either:
The Bible Church of Little Rock
19111 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72223
http://www.bclr.org/
or
Humane Society of Pulaski County
14600 Colonel Glenn Rd, Little Rock, AR 72210
http://warmhearts.org/
Either are very fitting charities to honor Gary. If you knew Gary you would definitely know that his church and his love of animals were very, very important to him.
We, as well as many others, could tell you so many stories about why we loved Gary, but I've posted enough tonight. If you have thoughts, stories, or other tributes you would like to make please leave them on this thread and we'll make sure that BJ gets them.
RIP Gary,
Paul & Rosetta
Just one of our fun times together - the evening we met Richard Rawlins from Gas Monkey Garage. Gary's grin is because he had coaxed Richard out of the garage for a photo op when the sign said closed for filming. Not many folks could turn down Gary when he put on the charm.
Canadian Provinces, 8 European Countries, 3 Caribbean Countries, Countless National Parks and have attended well over 100 TBN Events since 2001 and counting. Best of all ... fabulous friends.
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