Remembering Gary.❤️

First and foremost, thank you for clicking my link. I assume that if you’re here… you know myself or had the pleasure of knowing my wonderful dad, Gary. I ask that you bear with me as I stumble through these thoughts and words. While no one can prepare you for these things… I’m creating this GoFundMe on a whim. Even if you aren’t able to donate, I ask for you to read these words. I just want the world to know the caliber of a man I was lucky enough to call my dad.

Yesterday, February 19, 2025 our world was shattered. It is a pain that is indescribable and only known by the unfortunate ones of us who have been through it. Yesterday, my dad.. Gary Malicote.. experienced a medical episode while driving which resulted in a single vehicle fatality accident. I cannot believe I’m even typing these words. It was so unexpected and out of the blue. Gary had a heart attack in 2010 but had been diligent with keeping up with all appointments, meds, etc. There were no warning signs.. No indicators. Nothing. We are truly shocked and devastated. He was only 63 years old.

Gary is survived by a plethora of broken hearts, including a wonderful mother… seven children, eighteen grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, a work family, numerous friends… but most importantly, his wife. Anyone who knew Gary knew the kind of devoted husband he was. He was put on this Earth to love my momma & I firmly believe that. They were inseparable and I could never, ever thank him enough for what he did for her/us. Watching my mother go through this is the second most excruciating pain I’ve ever felt in my life… losing Gary would be first.

If you know us and know our story… you know that these last few years have not been the easiest for my parents. After losing everything but the shirts on their backs in a house fire in 2022, they were able to get back on their feet and purchase a new double wide, which then flooded last year resulting in them being without a home again for several months. After each of these events we found ourselves asking “Where do we go from here? How are we going to do this?” And no matter what question was ever asked, the answer was always “We’ve got each other, we will figure it out.” Fast forward to today. “How are we going to do this? Where do we go from here?” And it’s just “we will figure it out.” There is a hole in our world that feels so excruciatingly heavy & unsurvivable at the moment.

My mother has not only lost the love of her life but also the bulk of her income, insurance, etc. With them having just purchased a new home a few years ago everything feels scary and uncertain. I know in times like these, people want to help… even if it isn’t monetary, keeping us in your prayers and sharing kind words about my father will help carry us through. However, I am here humbly asking that if anyone feels led to help financially, giving my mother peace and security that she will have a roof… THEIR* roof over her head… for 30 days.. 60 days… whatever it may be, so that she can grieve her husband without having to worry about the logistics of everything else that comes along with a death.

If you take nothing else away from this… please just know that Gary was the most loving, generous, big-hearted man and father that you would ever meet. He was the glue that held us all together… he was our everything. He was so loved by everyone that was blessed to know him… but especially by the ones who called him, Son, Dad, Poppy & Hubzilla. This loss feels insurmountable. Please pray for my family as we try to navigate through this nightmare. Thank you.