Bernard Joseph Gareis' Obituary
Bernie Gareis, 73, peacefully passed away on October 28, 2016 after a short but courageous battle with cancer.Bernie was born on July 13, 1943 in Ovid, Colorado to Joseph Gareis and Clara Lockwood. He graduated in 1961 from Adams City High School. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy and served on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War. Upon discharge from the Navy he attended Colorado State University where he met his beautiful wife and obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration.Bernie spent his entire career in the aerospace industry working for Frontier, American and United Airlines. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, but his passion was playing golf. He was an avid supporter of both the OSU Cowboys and the Denver Broncos. Watching football with his family was a weekly event. Above all, his greatest joy was watching his grandchildren in their various sports and activities.Bernie’s kindness and generosity were felt by many throughout the years. He set an example of charity and love for everyone who had the honor of knowing him. He never expected anything from others yet would give you the shirt off his back when needed.He was a very religious man and proud of his Catholic faith. He and his family joined the Church of St. Benedict’s when they moved to Tulsa in 1987. He was a faithful parishioner from the first day they attended. In fact, the family had an unofficial seating assignment where they were seen almost every weekend.He is survived and celebrated by his wife of 46 years, Cathy; son Scott and his wife Julie; daughter Sarah and her husband Kevin; four adored grandchildren Abram, Alexis, Reese, and Finn; father Joseph Gareis (Lorraine); mother Clara Lockwood; sister Judy Gareis; brother Alan Roach (Sherry).There will be a rosary service on Wednesday, November 2nd at 6:00 pm and a funeral mass on Thursday, November 3rd at 2:30 pm. Both services will be at the Church of St. Benedict’s.In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, http://donate.cancer.org/index.
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