Gary Thomas Korte

Jan 6, 1954 - Dec 9th, 2023

Birth Date: Jan 6, 1954
Death Date: Dec 9, 2023
Funeral Date: Dec 15, 2023, 10:30 am
Location: Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church
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Biography:

Gary Thomas Korte, born January 6, 1954, was surrounded by his loving family as he passed peacefully from this earth on December 9, 2023. Gary and the love of his life, Paula Jegley, were married June 26, 1982, and were blessed with three wonderful children, Natalie, Joshua, and Preston. In recent years, they were blessed further by their three grandchildren, Avey, Griffin, and Greer. All will forever treasure his memory, legacy, and many gifts of love.

Gary was a man of many talents and unfailing honesty, the highest integrity, and was a loyal and forgiving soul. Successful in business and sales, he was a keen problem solver with a great sense of serving others. Above all, he was an ultimate husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. His faith in God was pure and dauntless.

Humor was a major part of Gary's personality. He found laughter in many aspects of life. For example, he loved a photo depicting him and Joshua and Preston as the Three Stooges. And, who but Gary would have a cat named after Rodney Dangerfield? Holidays with Gary and Paula were epic, to say the least; most notably Halloween, when Gary led his children, nieces, nephews, and others on trick or treat routes resulting in huge hauls of goodies. Gary laughed often and well.

A round of golf, an evening at the garden, a good horse race, a day on the lake or at a casino (Gary usually won) were among his many happy pursuits. Gary enjoyed numerous and interesting friendships and treasured every one of them. He was an incredibly generous, kind, and gentle soul for all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Lewis and Helen Emogene. In addition to his dear Paula, he is survived by his daughter, Natalie (Andy), son Joshua, son Preston (Stephanie), grandchildren Avey, Griffin, and Greer; brother Daniel (Debbie); brother Tracy (Jeannie); sister Debbie Krueger; and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear ones.

Visitation will be held December 14, 2023, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church with a rosary to follow. A mass of Christian burial will be held on December 15, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to CARTI in thanks of the outstanding care Gary received from Dr. Andrew Briggler and his staff or the Monsignor Allen Trust Fund at Holy Souls School. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com

Condolences(22)

Oscar and Debbie Finkbeiner

#22

Dec 17th, 2023 1:10 pm

Paula and Family, Oscar and I are so very sorry for your loss. Although we did not know Gary, his beautiful obituary made us feel as though we did. Please know that you all are in our thoughts and our prayers for peace, comfort and strength in the coming days.

Brent Patterson

#21

Dec 15th, 2023 7:50 am

Korte family
I started working for Gary in 1999 at Alltel. He was the best boss anyone could ask for. Never met a stranger and truly knew someone everywhere he went. I hadn’t seen Gary in 20 yrs but recently got to talk to him on the phone several times and we had planned to eat lunch when he got a bit better. I know the family will miss him but can take comfort in knowing Gary is in a much better place.
God bless the Korte family.

Peggy Russell

#20

Dec 14th, 2023 7:00 pm

Gary was a good person. I worked with him at Windstream. He could always make you smile and laugh. So sad to hear about his passing. Prayers for family and friends. RIP Gary

Carmen Moore

#19

Dec 14th, 2023 4:50 pm

Gary was truly a great and caring guy, always had a smile on his face no matter what. His stories will be missed, but he will always be in our hearts. He will be missed.

Mike Alsbrook

#18

Dec 13th, 2023 10:22 pm

Paula and Family you will be in my prayers. When I first met Gary I knew he was a special person, that was about 50 years ago, and he has continued to have a special place in my life. When ever I saw him or talked to him laughs and memories flow. You all have been blessed with his presence for all these years. God's peace be with you all.

Dianne Jorden Berryhill

#17

Dec 12th, 2023 9:16 pm

So sorry to hear this. I remember Gary as a little boy. I know his parents were very proud of him. May God bless your family.

Mark Vaugh

#16

Dec 12th, 2023 8:28 pm

Paula, I am so very sorry to hear about Gary. We both go way back to our DIS days working on converting the state government’s phones. Later when I was at ALLTEL, I asked Gary if he would come work with on converting the state’s to ALLTEL, to which he graciously agreed. Gary was a one of a kind guy. It seemed like he knew everybody. There was this one time we were in downtown Little Rock and this homeless guy came up to Gary and started talking with him. Come to find out the guy had been in high school with Gary. After that we knew Gary didn’t meet a stranger. So many memories I have of our work exploits together that I will always cherish! Gary I miss friend but I will see you again one day!

Richard Viscarra

#15

Dec 12th, 2023 2:51 pm

Paula, my wife, Leia and I were introduced to you poolside in Los Cabos on a President's club trip that Gary had earned (one of many I'm sure of it). I had met Gary during a few other corporate trips and activities. Gary was the type of person who in his subtle ways would quickly make any stranger feel like a long lost friend. It was an endearing quality that he had one that I hope passes to those grandchildren. I'm very blessed to have had small moments to get to know Gary and you. He will be missed.

matthew Simmons

#14

Dec 12th, 2023 2:11 pm

Thank you for all that you have done over the years. Your generosity and kindness have made a significant impact on my life, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have known you.

With deepest sympathy,

Judy Zink

#13

Dec 12th, 2023 11:16 am

To Paula and family, deepest condolences. May the spirit of this beautiful season be with you and your family.

Bo Plyler

#12

Dec 12th, 2023 9:10 am

My condolences to the Korte family. I have fond memories of our boys and youth baseball.

Don Levy

#11

Dec 12th, 2023 8:06 am

So sorry for your lost. Gary will be greatly missed.

Tom Thornton

#10

Dec 12th, 2023 7:27 am

Paula, I am so sorry to hear this. Best wishes during a very difficult time.

Frances Grimmett Love

Dec 12th, 2023 7:14 am

Korte Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Gary and I hold you all in my thoughts and prayers. I worked with Garey for and long time at DIS and considered him a dear friend. When he left I thought oh my goodness we are going to miss him but then he shows up on the State Account team for Windstream. Gary loved to laugh and make everyone around him laugh. He will be missed dearly by his old coworkers that he treated like family. I hope God wraps his around this family and remember the good times.

Teresa Qualls Felix

Dec 11th, 2023 10:38 pm

I am so very sorry for the loss of Gary. I will be praying for Preston and his family

wendell r nier

Dec 11th, 2023 8:50 pm

So sorry to learn of Gary's passing. I'm praying for the entire family that the Lord's grace and goodness will give you peace and comfort as you are experiencing sadness during this time. I will be unable to attend these services but wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
My love to all the family. Your cousin, Wendell Nier, The Villages, Florida & Pangburn, Arkansas

Gary & Anita Duncan

Dec 11th, 2023 8:15 pm

Our deepest sympathy to your family, we are sorry to hear of Gary's passing, keeping you all in our hearts,

Sherry Francis

Dec 11th, 2023 6:31 pm

Oh Natalie and all the family I am so sorry for your loss, I know there will be a huge hole that no one will be able to fill. He sounded like a true gem of a family man. Hugs and prayers for you all. Love, Sherry

Todd Pettit

Dec 11th, 2023 5:34 pm

Preston and I have had many conversations together talking about our dads. So many times we would just laugh at the things they would do or say, and how easy it was to set them off and get mad at us. But we would talk about them because of how important they are to us in our life. One thing you want in life is to make your dad proud, and I know he was proud of you Preston. He was happy to see the man you have become. He was proud of you, he was proud of Natalie, and he was proud of Josh. He loved his family and you could see that in the way he lived his life. He treated me so well ever since the day I first met him. He has so many of the same characteristics as Preston, and I guess that’s why we got along so well. Whether it be the horse races, fantasy football, or the random calls I would receive where we’d talk thirty minutes at minimum, I am going to miss it all. His personality was special. He was a special person. He was the silver fox. I will miss him. My heart is with every one of you in this tough time. I love the Korte’s.
-Todd Pettit

JOYCE O'NEAL

Dec 11th, 2023 5:23 pm

Daddy Gary was my true,caring friend. He began a lot of conversation with "now Ms. Joyce". There will always be a special place in my heart for him.

Michael Mitchell

Dec 11th, 2023 4:57 pm

Gary was a great person and he will be missed by everyone. He could always make you laugh even when things were challenging.

Larry Treadway

Dec 11th, 2023 4:24 pm

Gary was a great friend and coworker. I will miss him very much. I will especially miss his laugh. He will be an asset in heaven to our savior. Hey Buddy, I miss you.

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