Gary Lee Graul, 63, passed away peacefully and finally pain-free on December 21, 2022 with his family by his side. He was greeted in heaven by his parents, both sets of grandparents, his Uncle Earl, and his sweet cousin, Aimee.

Gary was born to Ernie and Julia Graul, and raised in Baltimore, MD. Though Gary suffered the loss of his father when he was just six years old, he could always count on the constant love and support of his dear mother, Julia; his Grandma Athalee and Grandpa Worth (“Pop”); his Aunt Carol and Uncle Harry, and close family friend and mentor, David Flumbaum. His grandpa was there for him every day after school, teaching him many important life skills as they gardened together and worked side by side painting houses.

At Ben Lippen High School in Asheville, NC, Gary found his niche as a soccer goalie, helping the team achieve undefeated records in both his junior and senior years. He formed lifetime friendships there.

Following high school, Gary received a full scholarship to play soccer for Wheaton College, where he had the opportunity as an international student to live in Germany and play soccer over summer break. As a senior at Wheaton, he began dating graduate student, Julie Feezor, and they married in 1983. While working as a manager at UPS, he completed his Master’s degree in Theology. In 1991, the Graul family was complete with the arrival of their daughter, Emilie Anna.

Gary’s professional goals took an interesting turn when he discovered a love of baking, enrolled in the American Institute of Baking in Manhattan, KS, and became certified as a Master Baker. From there, Gary enjoyed a long and successful career in the food industry, retiring in 2018 from Bunge North America in St. Louis. As Corporate Quality Assurance Manager, he led the quality role globally under the PQSE organization for many years, making friends with Bunge colleagues all around the world. He especially enjoyed his time in Argentina and Brazil, and the lasting relationships he formed with his Bunge counterparts there.

Gary’s interests and hobbies were wide-ranging. From golf to motorcycles (re-building a vintage Triumph and customizing a Harley), to building and flying RC remote controlled airplanes, to photography, to woodworking projects and home remodeling, it seemed there was nothing that Gary couldn’t master if he put his mind to it. Of all his hobbies, his favorites by far were playing his Martin guitar, fly-fishing for trout, bow hunting for wild game, and sailing “Ambrosia”, his 26 ft. Catalina. Gary was especially delighted when he could include his family in his hobbies; bringing Julie on motorcycle adventures and camping trips, taking sailing vacations with Julie and Emilie, and designing Lionel model train layouts with Emilie in their basement.

Gary loved his family dearly, and was devoted to his wife, Julie, for the last 39 years of his life. He was never shy about showing affection, often distracting Julie in the kitchen with hugs and kisses, cuddling with her on the couch, or pulling her over to sit on his lap.

If you were to ask Gary to describe the greatest joy of his life, he would say it was becoming a father and would then describe all the things he and Emilie shared – model trains, sailboat racing, photography, and catching black snakes in the yard. A proud dad, Gary never missed a single dance performance, piano recital, or band concert. He was always there in the stands, video camera running. Gary would say his greatest honor was walking his daughter down an oceanside path to meet her groom in the summer of 2021, along with the joy he experienced in gaining the son he never had in Ethan Godt.

Over his last years, Gary endured several serious health conditions, including three strokes, diabetes, kidney failure, and chronic pain. In spite of these challenges and limited mobility, he was determined to make it to Bible study and church each Sunday, and to his home-away-from-home, Waffle House, as often as possible. His workout sessions at the YMCA with his trainer and friend, Kerri George, were the highlight of his week.

In addition to his immediate family, Gary leaves behind his Aunt Carol and Uncle Harry Moore, the two people who have known him since birth and loved him so deeply and well; his cousin, Mike Clayton and wife, Rachel, who always brought the fun during vacations on their horse farm, and who share so many family memories in common; and cousins Barry, Tom, and Janis Graul, who were like siblings to Gary.

He also leaves behind his closest friend, high-school classmate and college roommate, Bob Morrison - that rare and extraordinary friend who sticks closer than a brother, who listened and supported and caught flights to be with Gary in good times and bad.

Gary was genuinely crazy about each of his nieces and nephews – Savannah and Maddie Gray, and Laura and Matthew Feezor, treasuring every moment spent in their company.

His two brothers-in-law - Lane Feezor and Tim Gray - kept him laughing. His mother-in-law, Vera Pulley, kept him on his toes. His sister-in-law, Sarah Gray, gave him the incomparable gift of unconditional love and acceptance. He would want her to know that she is pretty.

Anyone who knew Gary knows he was a hugger. If you came within arm’s reach, you would be hugged. He was also often blunt, opinionated and argumentative. But if he loved you, there was never a need to doubt it, because he said it daily.

And those hugs….

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