Gary Wayne Vestal, 75, of Leoti, KS, passed away on May 12, 2023, at his residence.
Gary was born on September 29, 1947, to Benjamin “Bob” Vestal and Bertha Walker Vestal in Russell Springs, KS.
Gary joined the U.S. Army in 1964 and served in the Vietnam War. After leaving the Army he returned to Oakley. He eventually made his way to Leoti, where he lived for over forty years.
Gary learned carpentry from his father and carried the trade with him throughout his years of service in Vietnam, as a farm hand, a general laborer, father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He i s survi ved b y h i s wife, Martha Vestal of Leoti; his eight children: Maxine Vestal-Lareau and Bradley of Bedford, TX, Manuel and Anita Vestal of Elmira Heights, NY, Michael Thompson of Leoti, Terrie and Joe Wilcox of Tribune, Mary and Jose Cortez of Leoti, Rosa Vestal of Leoti, Violet Vestal of Leoti, and Peggy Castillo of Garden City; two step-children: Bernabe and Tracy Montoya of Leoti and San Juanita M. and Lorenzo Salazar of Leoti; and two sisters: Verlene Showalter of New Orleans, LA, Patricia Bell of Ladson, SC. He is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and 16 stepgreat- grandchildren.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents: Benjamin “Bob” Vestal and Bertha Walker Vestal; and siblings: Benjamin Vestal Jr., Peggy Uhrich, Carol Riker, Florence Thompson, and Lawrence Vestal.
Cremation has been chosen. Memorial graveside service is 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2023, at the Leoti Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorials to the Leoti EMS may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS 67748.
