Gary Leroy Alderson

Gary Leroy Alderson, 81, of Centralia, MO, formerly of Bowling Green, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2021 with his wife and daughter by his side. Gary was born on October 21, 1940 to Leroy (Cotton) and Theresa Wagner Alderson in Middletown, MO. Funeral services for Gary will be held Friday, November 12, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes & Crematory in Bowling Green with Richard Biggs officiating. Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. After graduating from Wellsville High School in 1958 he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life Virginia, on September 25, 1959. Gary began his career as a carpenter and then turned his interest to farming. He and his wife raised hogs and grew crops for 22 years on their farm in Middletown, MO. Gary took a job as the mobile superintendent at Holcim in Clarksville, MO and Virginia continued to manage the farm until they moved to Bowling Green, MO in 1981. Gary retired in 2000 after spending 32 years at Holcim. Gary was a member of the Elks, Pike County Country Club, Second Baptist Church and Bowling Green Bobcat Boosters. He was an extremely hard worker, dedicated and determined to provide for his family and give them the life they deserved. Two years after Gary and Ginny were married, they had their first son, Curtis. Over the next ten years they had three more children, Stephen, Rodney and Sharon. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world and he was very proud of his four children. Everyone who knew Gary knew that he was an extremely kind, loving, gentle person, and that he loved his family very much. Gary loved bowling, golfing, fishing, hunting, playing cards, working puzzles, the St. Louis Cardinals and spending time with his family. He spent many days on the lake fishing and telling stories of how big his fish was that he caught. You could often find a puzzle laying on the table and it would quickly draw you in to help him complete the masterpiece. Few words were spoken, but the time spent putting the puzzle together was always cherished. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia of Centralia, MO, son Curtis & Stephanie Alderson of Curryville, MO, son Stephen & Sally Alderson of Fisherville, KY, Rodney & Lisa Alderson of Zanoni, MO, daughter Sharon & Russell Reed of Centralia, MO; and grandchildren John & Angela Alderson, Daniel & Katie Alderson, Matthew & Heather Alderson, Emily Wommack, Levi Wommack, Stephen Alderson, Tyler & Cristina Alderson, Jessica & Kyle James, Tressa Alderson, Ashley Reed, Allison Reed, Abigail Reed; great grandchildren Trenton Alderson, Landon Alderson, Austin Alderson, Harper Alderson, Landon Chandler, Lily Alderson, Kadence James, Klay James. Gary also leaves behind sisters, Bonnie & Barry (Gene) Fitzgerald, Marianne & Cleve Holiday, brother-in-law, Larry (Doc) & Kathy Kaufman, brother-in-law Larry & Barb Spiers, sister-in-law, Doris Kaufman, and many nephews and nieces. He will forever be in their hearts and missed every day very much. Gary was preceded in death by his parents Leroy and Theresa, sister Connie Spiers, father-in-law & mother-in-law, Frank and Mae Kaufman, brother-in-law, Wally Kaufman, sisters-in-law, Sharon Horton, Leota Kaufman, and Eunice Harris. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Gary Leroy Alderson

October 21, 1940 - November 8, 2021