Gary Duane Strawn left this world on 07/12/2025. He was born in Fruitland, ID May 29, 1940 to Ethel Polline (Henderson) Strawn & Keith Strawn at their small farm home. Gary worked on this small farm all of his childhood. He graduated from Fruitland High school in 1958 and served a short term in the Air National guard which ended with an honorable medical discharge when a plane crash caused him major back problems that he suffered from all of his life.

He married Donella M Gilbert June 28, 1959. They met while Donella was visiting her Sister a neighbor of Gary's family. Shortly after the birth of their eldest daughter Becki, They moved to Kennewick, Washington where he worked as a fabricator at Baker produce, then worked at Dependable Janitor service & Churches that ended up being Welch's Grape Juice while going to CBC & graduating with an applied Science degree in 1965. Then they moved to their Finley home. He worked 9 years on H.H. Wheat Ranch, Western Farmer's Grain elevator in Wallula as an elevator operator/mechanic. This is where he pulled off his thumb in a gear wench pulling in a barge. In 1974 he went to work for Finley School District as a Supervisor of Support Services – Transportation, Custodial, Grounds, Building and Kitchen until her retired in 1999.

Gary and his wife Donella enjoyed family activities, Vacations and dearly loved their cabin in Dayton, Washington.

After loosing his wife Donella, he went back to Idaho to be around his friends, Cousins and family. This is where he and his high school sweetheart Edith rekindled their love for each other and got married. Later they divorced and Gary moved back to Finley and while out dancing dad's eye spied a spunky woman, they dated and soon after had a small wedding at the pool on his property. They had a cute loving relationship until cancer took her.

Gary was active with the Finley community. Firefighter – Fire Chief of the Finley Fire Station that became Benton County Fire District #1 from 1965 – 2003. He was a member of the Columbia River Stampede's, Finley Saddle Club, Kennewick/Pasco Moose, Kennewick Eagles and Kennewick Valley Grange.

Gary enjoyed working outdoors doing maintenance on vehicles and making things in wood & metal. He also enjoyed attending rodeos, horseback riding, motor homing, camping, fishing, hunting, their cabin in the mountains, lot they had at Rim Rock & Mountain River trails.

Gary is survived by his 5 children, Becki & Jack Coats, Tina & Vince Bates, Sharon Nicholson, Monte & Dina Strawn, Kerry & Denice Strawn. 20 Grandchildren, Plus Spouses, (45) great grandchildren and 2 great great Grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Gary was Preceded in Death by his Parents, grandson Thomas Coats, loving wife and mom of his children Donella, sister Lorraine Kirkpatrick, great grandson Quentin Nicholson, brothers Dean & Brian Strawn, loving wife Helen Crow Strawn.

Memorial contributions can be made to Benton County Fire District #1

144610 E Law Lane, Kennewick, WA 99337 in Memory of Gary Strawn

Services will be held at The Livingroom Church, on: September 06 at 11:00 AM

1409 S Garfield St, Kennewick, WA

Reception to follow