Gary Lee Niebel, a man of many titles was most proud of the titles husband, father, Big Gare, Gramps, Papa Nemo, Ice Cream Man, and friend, passed away in Florence, Arizona Saturday, January 7, 2023.  He truly was one of a kind.

Gary was born on September 26, 1957 to Delbert and Ada (Lueck) Niebel in Pomeroy, WA. Gary was raised on a small wheat farm in Eastern Washington where he learned the value of hard work (and perfection).  From a young age he had a love for athletics. He played football, basketball, and participated in track. He later graduated from Pomeroy High School, class of 1976 and earned football scholarship at Columbia Basin College (CBC) where he studied from 1976-1978.  He met the love of his life, Sheri April 1978 and later married March 1979.  The newlyweds moved to Cheney, WA where Gary studied at Eastern Washington University (EWU) from 1978-1980.

January 1980, Gary and Sheri moved to Tri-Cities where Gary started his 40 plus year career in the auto industry. Even after retirement, he continued to work part-time for McCurley Chevrolet.

Gary and Sheri started their family with the birth of their son, Brian in 1981 and completed it with the addition of their daughter, Jenny in 1983. Gary shared his love of the outdoors and athletics with his children. He coached both his children in baseball and basketball. He loved watching them do what they loved, play sports. Whether he had his video recorder or later in life his phone, he loved capturing all of the moments in life (and sharing those photos). His children were his joy.

Gary was over the moon when his grandchildren (Bailey, Jordyn, and Harper) were born. He loved his girls with his whole heart. He loved when he had an opportunity to spend time with them. He loved rough housing with them, taking them fishing, hunting, watching them play sports, and goofing around with them. Oh, did he love to tease his granddaughters.

Gary loved to laugh; he was simply a big kid at heart. He loved to make others laugh and formed a special bond with people who could give him shit right back. If you know what the “hook” is or if he teased you at all, just know he loved you.

Gary was a Jack of all trades.  He loved working on projects. No project was too big.  If he couldn’t quite figure something out, he’d YouTube it, then MacGyver it, or as some would call it, Niebelfy it. If anyone needed help on any project or needed anything, he’d drop everything to be there to help as fast as he could.

Growing up on the family farm, he loved riding motorcycles. As an adult, Gary rode four wheelers and his Razr.  He loved planning trips to go out on his ATVs with friends; he’d plan out his trip for days looking at maps and guides. He loved riding and being outdoors. It brought him so much joy to coach and teach others how to ride.

Gary’s most recent passion project was developing family property in Pomeroy, WA. His dream was to create a place where family and friends could visit and enjoy all the nature offered. As a kid, he grew up hunting and shared his passion for hunting with his son, granddaughters, and friends. He loved the camaraderie of his hunting family and being able to get together at the property every fall. He didn’t quite finish this passion project, but his son, Brian and his friends will finish what Gary started.

Gary was proceeded in death by his parents, Delbert Lee Niebel and Ada Margaret (Lueck) Niebel.

Gary is survived by his wife, Sheri Niebel (Beem); son Brian Niebel (Megan and granddaughters Bailey and Jordyn); daughter Jennifer Butenhoff (granddaughter, Harper); his sister, Karen Solt; his brother, Glen Niebel; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date.