Gary Wayne Tourtillott

Gary Wayne Tourtillott, 68, was born April 19, 1947, to Everett and Madelyn Ayer Tourtillott. He passed peacefully from this world on June 8, 2015, with his children at his side.

Gary was an adamate cattleman, trucker, and auctioneer. He spent his life helping others when they needed it. After graduating from Rich Hill High School in 1965, Gary ventured to Washington, D.C., to work for the FBI. There he stayed until he was drafted into the Army for service in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968.

Upon returning home from the service, Gary farmed and raised cattle with his father, Everett. Soon after arriving home from the service, Gary went to auctioneering school, which fit right in with his love of cattle and sale barns. He went to work as a truck driver for Chester McKinley delivering furniture and that was the start of the love of trucks. As soon as he could, Gary purchased his own truck, starting out with a 10-wheeler and soon enough graduating to a semi-truck. From there, he built T&T Grain Co. Gary successfully ran his trucking and cattle business for several years, even adding other businesses along the way. Gary was a intelligent and forward thinking man, what they call now and 'entrepreneur.' Gary recently found a love of gardening and spent a good deal of time landscaping and gardening. Always ready to lend a helping hand to those who needed a job or a loan or advice, he believed in second chances and gave them freely.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Everett. He is survived by his mother, Madelyn Tourtillott; his children, Devon and wife, Tara Tourtillott, of Carl Junction, and Kristina Tourtillott of Nevada; four grandchildren, Alex Coverdale and husband, Robert, Payton and Riley Long, and Madison Tourtillott; one great-grandchild, Levi Coverdale; three brothers, Lyle, Eddie, and Kenny; and two sisters, Marilyn Lowe and Linda Tourtillott. He also leaves many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends, far and wide.

Gary loved spending time with friends and family, showing off his gardens, playing cards, good steaks, and sale barns. He will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 13, at the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, with burial and military rites in the Green Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., today, at the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, Mo.

Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in care of Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill.