-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Baldini
Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2020 12:04 PM
To: webmaster@vdha.us; president@vdha.us
Subject: Death of Gary Kenneth Broyles

Posted By: Alan Baldini

Posted On: 01/26/2020

Post ID: 37107

Post:  Gary was a handler with the 35th and 58th IPSD.

Gary Kenneth Broyles was born Oct. 5, 1948 in Spokane.  He would tell people he was born the same year that Israel became a nation. His 'Going Home' was Jan. 23, 2017.

Gary was a natural athlete who was already 6' 5" in high school.  He played center on the basketball team for Medical Lake High School and was instrumental in helping his team go to state.

He was also a starting pitcher for the Varsity baseball team.  His uncle Dave Hite taught him how to throw a wicked Change-up Curve ball.

Gary was given a full-ride athletic scholarship to Eastern Washington University.  He graduated with a Degree in Finance and Business.

He loved to golf and was always studying and perfecting his game.  He was also a good bowler with an aggressive hook ball.  A week before his diagnosis he bowled a 256.

Gary joined the Army in 1967.  He was a K-9 specialty Dog Trainer in Vietnam.  His assignment was to go in front of the troops with his German Shepard, who was trained to hear tripwires for landmines and booby traps.  Gary would disable them so the troops could safely proceed down the road or trail.

Gary lived in San Diego, California for nearly 25 years and was the owner and operator of Broyles Painting.  His son Paul later joined him.  They worked together until he met the love of his life, Diana Matney.  They were married November 28, 2009 at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane.

They lived in Colville during the summer and enjoyed their winter home at Sun City West, Arizona during the colder months.

His sense of humor and quick wit remained until his last few hours here on earth. He wanted to live long enough to see the Trump inauguration event and God was gracious in answering his prayer.

During his stay at the hospital, Gary witnessed to everyone.  He told them death held no fear over him.  "I am going to heaven and be with Jesus", Gary told the doctors. He would not trade his experience with cancer for a million dollars, because it had drawn him so close to God.  His favorite Bible passage was Psalms 1.

Gary is survived by his wife, Diana; his son, Paul Broyles; his sisters, Susie Forsberg and husband Pastor David Forsberg, and Shelly Broyles; his brother Larry Broyles; and numerous aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews; three step-children, Kasey A. Reynolds and her husband Lee and their son Patrick; step-son, Kelly Graham and his daughter Katelyn Graham; and Shannon (Graham) Taylor and her husband, Dave.

Memorial service for Gary K. Broyles will be held at Grace Evangelical Free Church on Friday, February 3, 2017, at 11 a.m. Pastor Tim Goble will be officiating.