Gary Sullivan Obituary

Gary Francis Sullivan

Gary Francis Sullivan, 76, of Shawnee, Kansas & Tombstone, Arizona, passed away March 3rd, 2014 in Arizona. Services will be held at Amos Family Funeral Home in Shawnee, KS with visitation from 1-3pm Friday, March 14th followed directly by the memorial service at 3pm.

Gary was born July 16, 1937 to John and Essie Sullivan in Wichita, KS. He was the youngest of three children. On April 1, 1967 Gary married Norma Marie Brunk, daughter of Max and Letta Brunk, in the Brunk family home in Ithaca, NY. In April they would have celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary.

Gary graduated from Yates Center, KS High School and graduated from Kansas State University with both a B.S. and M.S. in Economics. He was a US Army Veteran. He worked at the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City until heading to graduate school at the University of Chicago obtaining an ABD PhD in Agricultural Economics which is where he met his love, Norma. Gary and Norma moved to Niles, MI where their two daughters, Kimberly Erin 1969 and Jennifer Allison 1970 were born. They then relocated to Topeka, KS where Gary worked for the Department of Welfare. They moved to Shawnee, KS in 1976 where Gary worked for the US Department of Health and Human Services. Their son, John Edwin was born in Shawnee in 1979. After Gary retired from the Federal Government in 1997, he and Norma traveled the US and many places internationally before settling in Tombstone, AZ. In Tombstone, Gary and Norma enjoyed going to military balls; dressing the part in vintage Civil War military uniform. Gary was involved in politics and political campaigns; serving as a precinct committeeman and helping politicians at the local, state and national levels. He had a passion for history and wars past. Gary was instrumental in helping start and build the Irish American Club of Shawnee, KS; including leadership in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. He loved history, politics, traveling, boats, and anything Irish but mostly he loved people. He loved people without judgment and will be remembered most of all for being a devoted husband to the love of his life, Norma.

He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Norma Sullivan, children; Kim Sullivan Krummel and husband Dale Krummel of Fayetteville, AR, Jenny Sullivan of Shawnee, KS and John Sullivan and wife Jenny Windler Sullivan of Overland Park, KS, grandchildren; Matthew Krummel, Maggie Krummel and Cassidy Illum.

He is also survived by his brother Don Sullivan of Wichita, KS, by a sister-in-law Kathy (Brunk) Brennan and her husband Peter Brennan of Berkshire, NY and many other extended family members and great friends who will miss our pleasant, fun, funny, caring, friendly and interesting man with impeccable character. Gary, you will always be in our hearts, know you had a positive impact on many lives, and will continue to have an influence on your extensive group of family, friends and community. In our hearts, we say thank you and we love you.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Association for Cancer Research - AACR in Gary Sullivan's name.

Visitation 1-3pm Friday, March 14th with 3pm memorial service at Amos Family Funeral Home in Shawnee, KS

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