Gary Edwin Kingsboro Obituary (2023)

Gary E. Kingsboro passed away suddenly at Cottage in the Meadow, on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, after suffering a stroke on Friday, November 3, 2023. He was born on March 24, 1947, in Monticello, Illinois. At an early age he and his parents moved to the Pacific Northwest, finally settling in Yakima. He spent his early childhood in the West Valley area and graduated from West Valley High School in 1965. He met with a group of former classmates once a month for lunch and remembering. Gary met his wife, Pamala (Sherry), while they were both in high school and they were married shortly after she graduated. Thanks to the U.S. Army, they spent the next 22 months at Fort Irwin, California. Returning home meant finding a job, and he went to work for Shield's Bag and Printing, staying for almost 35 years, until he retired in 2003. He met for coffee weekly with a group of his former coworkers. Gary's life could be summed up in three words, "Avid Sports Enthusiest!" He played, coached, and watched sports his entire life. He started coaching Little League baseball while stationed at Fort Irwin, California and never wavered in his support of youth sports. During his children's early years in school, he coached youth soccer, girls basketball, CYO boys basketball, girls slow pitch, and youth baseball. At the same time, he played flag football, city league basketball, and slow pitch softball. He played slow pitch softball for several teams, and only stopped because his eyesight prevented him from catching the ball, but he could still hit it a ton. In his "spare" time he was an avid hunter, often sharing that one year he was able to hunt for 57 days. He also rode motorcycles, snowmobiles, and later took up quad riding. As his two children entered junior high and high school, he became their cheer squad, attending all sporting events, band concerts, dance recitals, and drill competitions. When his son graduated it was on to college baseball. He continued to follow all West Valley High School sports throughout his life, as well as enjoying Pepsi Pak baseball and the Pippins. Along came the granddaughter and history repeated itself, especially in the dance category. He could be found in the bleachers all day at many dance competitions and came to admire and respect the hard work and camaraderie among the participants. Reluctantly, he took up bowling and golf to appease the wife. Technically they were not sports, but since they involved a ball, they could be tolerated. Many new friends were made, and the wife was happy. His last great endeavor was quad riding and with wife in tow, many weekends were spent camping and riding in the mountains he loved and knew so well. Gary is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pamala (Sherry) Kingsboro, his daughter, Gina Catron, son, Paul Kingsboro (Kim Perrault and her children, Haddie and Brayton), the number one light of his life, granddaughter, Haley Kingsboro Catron, who presented him with the number two light of his life, great-granddaughter, Hadley. He is also survived by one sister Renee Kingsboro, and niece, Heidi (Johnny) Martinez, mother-in-law, Patricia Gress, sister-in-law and brother-in-law (and forever friend), Sandi and Richard Doss, and their family, and last but not least his giant of a dog, Marley. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gail and Patsy Kingsboro, and father-in-law, George Gress. His wishes were to have no service and his ashes will be distributed in his beloved mountains next summer in a private ceremony. If you wish to make a donation in his name, please consider The Parker Youth and Sports Foundation or Seattle Children's Hospital. Memorial contributions may be sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936), who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.