Gary Lynn Foote, 77, passed away on July 3, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona. Gary was born in Marshall, Missouri on August 29, 1948, to Robert C. Foote and Marie Foote and grew up in Kansas City, Kansas with an older sister, Cheryl, and two younger sisters, Rhonna and Roberta. He graduated from Wyandotte High School, having excelled at the violin. Like many young men at the time, he was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam war and was honorably discharged at the conclusion of his service. He went on to study Eastern religions and was actively involved in the Vedanta Society of Kansas City as well as the Self-Realization Fellowship.

Gary made his home in sunny Tucson, Arizona. He loved Tucson with all his heart and worked for the City of Tucson as a groundskeeper, retiring after many years of dedicated service. He was a long-time patron of the Tucson Symphony. Throughout his lifetime, Gary excelled at the violin, hiking, karate, gardening, landscaping, energy healing, and writing. He wrote amazing poetry and could recite his own and other’s works by memory. Gary was a fascinating conversationalist on a wide variety of topics, as well as an attentive, compassionate listener who was truly interested in what you had to say. He cared about your thoughts and feelings, and what was going on in your life. He made everyone feel important and cared about, and often had sound advice, wise words, or just pure enthusiasm for whatever idea you were excited about at the time. He was hard-working, service-oriented and generous with his time, talents and resources. When Gary came to visit you, he was going to leave having expanded your mind, as well as sealed your deck, planted a rose garden, or built a swing set! He left every person and place better than he found it. His favorite motto was the Latin phrase ad astra per aspera which captures his vision, determination, and resilience.

Gary is predeceased by his parents and his oldest sister, Cheryl D. Foote. Grieving family includes two sisters, Rhonna Murray of Abilene, Texas, and Roberta Harris of Yakima, Washington; a niece, Darlene Weldon of Kansas City, Missouri; nephews Steve Owens, Robert Harris, and William Harris of Washington and many more extended family members and dear friends who loved him. Gary talked many times about giving us a sign that he was OK after he had passed. He has kept good on that promise and has given many clear signs that he is still a living, loving presence. An informal Celebration of Life will be held in Kansas City on August 29th 2026. In keeping with his wishes, his cremains will be spread in the Sonoran Desert in the coming months.