Gary Burt Walters

WALTERS, Gary Burt
of Kalamazoo, Michigan God has taken my hand to a better place. Soon I will have a joyous reunion with my most beloved saints; my parents Harley and Lucille Walters, my sister Valery, my first and second wives Vivian and Joan, and my daughter Julie. For years I thought that I would rather be reading this. However modern medicine has worked in supporting my battle against the Big C for the past 15 years and I have nothing to regret in my fight. I applaud all of you who provided an abundance of TLC over the years. Yes, cancer sucks... but I feel we will avail against it in the long run. Gary passed away at home Monday evening, August 20th. He was born July 6th, 1936 in Farmington, MI, the son of Harley and Lucille Walters. Living recently in both Florida and Michigan, Gary has lived in the Kalamazoo area since attending Western Michigan University in 1954. At WMU he earned his BBA degree, participated in ROTC, was involved in Delta Chi Fraternity, was on the Men's Union Board, and became Student Government President. On January 3rd, 1958 he married his high school sweetheart Vivian Auger and exactly one year later their first child Michael Burt was born. Daughter Julie Renee and son Sean Beckwith were to follow. Gary earned his Chartered Life Underwriters degree in 1963 and enjoyed over 50 years in the life insurance business. He was one of the first Chartered Financial Consultants in Kalamazoo, earning his degree in 1983. He qualified continuously for Million Dollar Round Table, a high honor in the life insurance business, continuously from 1967 to 1994. He served as Exalted Ruler of the Kalamazoo Elks in the early 1970's. Gary married Battle Creek native Joan Stark in 1985. They were married until her passing eleven years later. In 1997 he married Judy Worden and is survived by her. Gary loved music he played piano, guitar and recently learned to play harmonica, landscaping, writing and reading, his many friends, his family and his work because "I get to work with terrific people who are at their best when deciding to protect their loved ones". Gary is survived by his wife Judy, his sons Michael and Sean; daughter in-law Kristin; seven granddaughters Vivian, Hayley, Olivia, Elle, Tess, Kristen and Kelly; grandson Rob; Judy's three sons Nathan, Andrew, and Brad; his niece Chari Larimore and her husband Doug Larimore; grandniece Jennifer Grossnickle; and nephews James Stadler and Ralph Stadler. A service to celebrate Gary's life will be held at 4:00pm Tuesday, August 28, at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. Friends may meet the family from 3-4pm prior to the service. Private family interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Donations on Gary's behalf can be made to The Salvation Army.