Gary William Mead was born in 1943 in Inglewood, California to parents Mildred and William Mead. He proudly served in the US Army from 1960-1963 as a Morse code radio operator with and assignment in Germany. After his service, Gary came back to the Los Angeles area where he began a career in the dairy industry. Gary married Doreen Dorothy Tutty and soon started a family. He later remarried to Charlotte Brown. Gary was an avid athlete and enjoyed running, snow-skiing, water-skiing, and surfing. Gary's hobbies also included going to the horse races, playing poker, auto sports and listening to music. Gary had a great sense of humor and loved telling stories and jokes with family and friends. Gary retired in 1999 and enjoyed taking trips with his family to the river to ride jet skis as well as trips to Las Vegas and Laughlin. He owned a classic muscle car and enjoyed taking drives to Huntington Beach as well as showing it off at car shows in and around Orange County where he won numerous awards. Additionally, Gary enjoyed watching sports and going to NBA basketball games. Gary was also a cancer survivor who conquered non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Gary is survived by his three sons, Gary, Cory and Ryan, stepson Ellis, sister Sharon, nephew Brett, thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Gary died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family after battling heart and kidney disease.

A memorial service will be held on June 15th at 2:00 PM at El Toro Memorial Park. 25751 Trabuco Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630. (949)951-9102.