Gary Lynn Bollinger

Gary Lynn Bollinger was born on October 26, 1947, in the one-horse town of Farmington, Missouri, to Henry and Lois Taplin Bollinger.He grew up on the family farm where he spent his days shoveling snow, driving tractors, slopping hogs, riding horses, and, by his own admission, spending a fair amount of time in the principal’s office.In 1970, Gary was drafted into the United States Army. During his service, he earned Expert qualification badges in Rifle, Machine Gun and Grenades and served in Vietnam.After completing his military service, Gary headed to Galveston, TX where he heard there were jobs. He began his career in construction at the very bottom of the ladder. It didn’t take him long to realize he had to find a way to climb that ladder, and up he did climb.As a top-notch superintendent, he liked to mentor young capable men. He did it all with a Big Chief tablet, a No. 2 pencil, and sometimes a big stick.Gary sacrificed much to be on that tall ladder. His work often kept him away from home, sometimes for months at a time. Top of mind was always providing for his family.
It wasn’t until he became a grandfather that he realized how much of his children’s lives he had missed. He loved nothing more than having his grands climb into his lap with a load of books or toys for Poppie.He was preceded in death by his parents; his sons, Gary Wayne and David; infant daughter, Elizabeth; and sister, Brenda.He is survived by his wife, Dennie; his daughters, Melissa Buchanan and husband Spencer, Carrie Kindt and husband Ryan, Vicki Tiedt and husband Lorenz; his daughter-in-law, Bonnie Bollinger; his brother, Ray; and all his beautiful grandchildren.Gary thought he was ten feet tall and bulletproof, but then so did we. We will remember and laugh about the good times and how he made them special. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the men he mentored, and the values he instilled in those fortunate enough to know him.Ride on, my love, till we meet again.Gary will be laid to rest on Saturday, August 8th, at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Franklin, TX. Visitation will be held there at the church starting at 9:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Military honors will immediately follow the service.Flowers are welcome. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation in Gary’s memory.