Gary Anthony Bear

Gary Anthony Bear was born September 3, 1961, the youngest of four children, to Ken and Beverly Bear. Gary grew up in Livermore, California, where he graduated from Granada High School and went on to further his education by graduating with an Associate of Arts & Electronics Degree from Las Positas College.  Gary spent more than 30 years working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory where he worked as an Environmental Technologist. Gary prided himself on his hard work, ability to problem solve and his attention to detail.

Gary looked up to his siblings, Greg, Jeff and Laurie and shared many good times with them throughout the years. Gary was known for his quick wit and his hearty laugh, which he shared with his parents Beverly B and Ken.

After marrying Kelly Garcia, he became a father to Michael Anthony Bear and a step-father to Rachel Bode. He greatly enjoyed watching Michael grow into the man he is today with a family of his own.

Though Gary and Kelly parted ways, they remained friends throughout the years and enjoyed raising Michael together.

Gary would meet the woman who would later become his wife a few years later. Gary married Sherri Mayfield (Price) on July 4, 2003. They would have celebrated 20 years of marriage this year and though she is devastated by his loss, she can still hear his laughter echoing through the house.

Whether he was rocking out to AC/DC or noodling around on his guitar, Gary loved his tunes. Those who were fortunate enough to know and love Gary knew that he was a loyal, loving, funny, smart, all-around good guy and we are all the better for having known him.

He was an amazing friend, brother, son, father, husband and Papa Bear. Though we are still grieving and we will continue to miss him forever, we are so grateful that he touched our lives with his humor, his love and his heart.

Gary is survived by his wife, Sherri; his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Carissa Bear; daughter, Kristi Mayfield; brother, Jeff Bear; sister, Laurie Jones; mother, Beverly Bear; granddaughter, Sophia Bear and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Ken Bear and his brother, Greg Bear.

Rest in Peace Papa Bear