Gary Allen Urman, age 60 of Prescott, WI, passed away suddenly in a tragic car accident on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Gary was born February 2, 1960 to Joseph and Elaine (Campbell) Urman. He attended Stillwater High School. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Joannie Viellieux on June 1, 1979.
Gary was a proud United States Army veteran serving in Korea during the 1970’s. After serving four years in the Army and three inactive, Gary returned home and became a jack of all trades. He was a welder, construction worker, drywaller, framer, roofer, backyard mechanic, and a janitor. But most of all, he spent his life being a loving husband, father, grandpa to all, and friend to many.
Gary had a heart of gold! If you ever needed something, anything at all, and you asked him for help, he was there for you. If you needed a place to stay, he would invite you into his home. If you needed food, he would feed you. If you needed help with building a deck or fixing a car, he was the first one there to help. Wherever he was needed, he’d be there.
He was the life of any party or gathering. Whether it was him cracking a beer with you, stoking the bonfire, his regular old small talk (including the same 10 stories you’ve heard a million time) or his wild dance moves, he was right there with you.
Gary was a man of his word and a man of many words. He stood up for those he loved and what he believed in, even if it meant he was labeled as stubborn, which he was!
If you entered his home or ran into him while he was out and about, he always had kind words, a smile, and a big hug waiting for you. He welcomed anyone into his arms for those big hugs.
By no means was Gary a perfect man, but someone once said, “What good is the good in life, without a little bad, to remind you just how good the good actually is.”
Those who knew him, have heavy hearts at this time. But, at the end of the day when you’re feeling down about losing such a great man, just take a moment and remember his big hugs, his smile, his dirty jokes, his crazy dance moves, and his big heart – and it will feel as though he is still here with you.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Joannie; daughter, Amy (Dan) Viellieux; three granddaughters, Ashley (Alex) Shvetsova, Alysa, Darla; and his three brothers, Robert, Tommy, and Donny.
A Memorial Gathering (Respecting social distancing, encouraging masks, and limiting 10 people at a time) will take place from 1:00 – 3:00 PM Saturday, June 13, 2020, with a 3:00 PM Private family Service of Remembrance at the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home, 225 S. 3rd St., River Falls. Military Honors provided by the River Falls American Legion Fletcher Pechacek Post #121 will immediately follow the service at the funeral home. Private interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Funeral services are entrusted to the O’Connell-Benedict Funeral Home of River Falls (715) 425-5644. www.oconnellfuneralservices.com
