Garry R DeWald Sr.

Garry Ray DeWald Sr., lovingly known as “Papa,” was born on October 14, 1958, in Fort Walton, Florida, and passed away peacefully at home in Motley, Minnesota, on September 24, 2025, surrounded by the land and family he loved.

The son of Richard and Esther DeWald, Garry grew up with a strong sense of curiosity and resilience that carried him through every stage of life. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy, Company 77-050, a chapter of his life he held with deep honor. After his service, he worked as a welder—skilled with his hands, hardworking, and committed to building things that lasted.

But it wasn’t only his work or service that defined him—it was the way he lived. Garry was a thinker, always hungry to understand the world around him. He spent countless hours with his nose in a book or lost in a documentary, diving into astronomy, history, and philosophy. He carried a philosopher’s heart, always reflecting, always asking questions, always searching for meaning.

Yet, for all his deep thought, Garry also had a lighthearted side. He was a known prankster, quick with a joke or a trick, always finding a way to spark laughter in those around him. His humor and warmth lit up family gatherings and made even the simplest moments unforgettable.

At his core, Garry was a country man. The outdoors was his cathedral, whether he was hunting, fishing, searching for fossils and agates, or simply sitting under a sky full of stars. It was in the quiet beauty of nature that he found peace—and where he spent his later years side by side with his beloved wife, Domita, making a home filled with love and laughter.

Family was the heartbeat of his life. He is survived by his wife, Domita; his mother Esther; his siblings Robert and Kenny DeWald, Linda Thunberg, Cathy DeWald, and James DeWald; his children Anthony, Sarah, Karen, Samantha, Garry, and Juanita; his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. He now joins his father Richard, sister Rita, and niece Sherri in eternal rest.

Those who knew Papa will remember him as both wise and mischievous, thoughtful and playful, hardworking and tenderhearted. His legacy lives on in the lessons he taught, the laughter he sparked, and the love he gave so freely.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday October 4, 2025 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm, with Military Honors being presented at 4:00pm at the Camp Ripley Chapel (10-98 Shimek Place, Little Falls)

Arrangements are entrusted to Taylor Funeral Home, Staples.