Albert Donald “Al” Gara. 86, of Appleton, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, March 23, 2017, in Lumberton, Texas. He was born on May 24, 1930, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Al was raised by his grandparents, Katie (Murkus-Gara) and Richard Damrau on a farm near Bowler, Wisconsin. After graduating from Bowler High School, he served his country in the United States Army as a tank driver stationed in Worms, Germany. On November 27, 1956, he married Shirley Mae Peotter in Alamogordo, New Mexico. After briefly working for Appleton Coated, he started his bricklayer’s apprenticeship. As a stone mason and bricklayer, he worked for Ted Utschig Construction and Oscar Boldt Construction leaving his work in view across the Appleton area. Never afraid of hard work, after retirement he enjoyed helping friends and family with their farming chores.
Al enjoyed bowling and fishing and his greatest love was singing and playing the guitar. Winters were spent in the Texas Rio Grande Valley attending daily jam sessions with his musician friends.
Survivors include his daughter, Susan Quick and her husband, Todd, of Lumberton, Texas; brother, Robert Igl; sister, Nancy Fronek; brothers-in-law, Don Peotter and his wife, Ann and Ken Peotter; and close friend, John Vander Zanden. He is preceded in death by his parents; and wife of fifty-nine years, Shirley Mae Peotter Gara.
Al’s committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont, Texas. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Appleton, Wisconsin.
