Gary was born in Kansas City, Missouri on January 14, 1980 to Roger and Debbie Aldrige. He graduated from Belton High School and continued on to his career as a Laborer with Local #264. Within the union Gary was a highly respected Journeyman and loved what he did. Gary was an avid baseball and basketball fan but also was extremely talented in both sports. He also had a great respect for all animals.
In the words of his sister, Steffanie: “This is my brother Gary. Underneath the mental illness and his way to cope with it he was the same as everyone else – just trying to find a way to quiet the everyday chaos and have a peaceful life. He had a disease that he did not want to have. Please remember he was a human being; my parents’ son, a brother to Jake and me, an uncle to my girls and most importantly a dad to Carly. But his mental health made him something else that he desperately didn’t want to be. Gary was a beautiful soul and when he was sober the most loving, hardworking person, someone you would want to be around. At a young age he had a love and gift for playing baseball – damn he was so good at it, shit eating grin that made you want to smile too and that would melt any heart, and a love for his family.
For those that have asked what happened we are not sure what took him from us but he will not be forgotten. We know that he is with Jake, and we will find peace in knowing he can finally rest and have the peace of mind he so desperately wanted and needed. He was my baby brother and I will love him always.”
Gary was preceded in death by his daughter, Hallie Aldrige; and brother, Jake Reynolds.
Cherishing Gary’s memory are his loving daughter, Carly; parents, Roger and Debbie Aldrige; sister, Steffanie Pryan (James); and two nieces, Alex Black (Eric) and Sofie Arizmendi (Alex).
