April 2, 1951 – March 30, 2024
Louis Gary Gionnette, 72, of Friendswood, TX, formerly of Champaign, IL, passed away on Saturday, March 30th, 2024 at MD Anderson Cancer Center from complications of cancer. Gary was born on April 2, 1951 in Glendale, CA, the oldest of the three children of Louis and Claire (Nadeau) Gionnette. He married his college sweetheart Marian Baake on September 18, 1971; he then graduated from CalPoly, San Luis Obispo in 1973 and San Diego State University in 1975 with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in History.
Gary and Marian's 52-year journey together included raising five children and making many lifelong friends during their multiple moves around the country. After retiring from SuperValu, Gary focused on his true passions: family, faith and gardening. When he wasn't traveling the country to visit his children, Gary volunteered at OSF Hospital, the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, the Master Garden program and St. Matthew Catholic Church in Champaign, IL where he and Marian lived a cumulative 22 years. He and Marian moved late last year to the Houston TX area to be closer to family as his health declined.
Gary is survived by his wife Marian and their five children: Daryl (Julie) in San Diego, CA; Kami in Dayton, OH; Jeffrey (Katherine) in Friendswood, TX; Michael (Lena) in Beverly Hills, MI; and Andrew (Claire) in San Marcos, CA. Gary was the very loving grandpa to Alicia, Marisa, Nathan, Natalie, Luca, Samuel, Anastasia, Marco, Theodoros, and Nikolaos. Gary is also survived by his sister Michelle (Kim) of Edmonton, Alberta. He was preceded in death by his brother David and their parents.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at Mary Queen Catholic Church, 606 Cedarwood Dr., Friendswood, TX 77546 with Rev. Thomas, Vellappallil, M.S. officiating. In honor of his long career in the grocery industry, the family asks that any memorial donations be made to Daily Bread Soup Kitchen at www.dailybreadsoupkitchen.com , the Eastern Illinois Foodbank at www.eifoodbank.org or the food pantry of your choice to help feed those in need.
R.I.P. my dear husband, loving father and grandfather, We love you.
3 thoughts on “Louis Gary Joseph Gionnette”
Our deepest and sincere condolences for the loss of your beloved husband and father.
We will always remember him as a quite man with a smile that raised a beautiful family.
May his memory be eternal.
George and Nitsa Mortis
May his soul rest in peace and may Gods perpetual light shine upon him.
Our deep condolences to you and all of your terrific family, I know Gary was much loved will be missed. I will miss him as well. I have nothing but fond memories since our youth, growing up together as first cousins. He had been in my thoughts more lately after our very nice visit last November.
May Gary rest in peace, along with David. I miss them both very much.