Gary Ferns

My brother sent me the link for my uncle's obituary with the comment "I didn't know he was such a bad ass!' Ah, the things we don't know until it is too late. We always see our elders as elders...never realizing they have lived such interesting lives...then we grow up and it happens to us. I am just mom to my kids, they really aren't interested in my history just what is for dinner. Although, truth be told, I am just as guilty of this as anyone else. I guess that is why we have obituaries...because there is so much more to people than we ever realized...and it is a good prompt to dig deeper into the history of those who are still around to tell the stories themselves.

Gary Harold Ferns 
(November 25, 1935 - April 29, 2016) 

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Gary Harold Ferns, 80, of What Cheer, died at home on Friday, April 29, 2016. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer. Burial will be in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg. Military honors will be conducted by the James Murphy American Legion Post # 319. Visitation will begin at noon on Monday; with family present from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family would strongly prefer memorial contributions be made to: James Murphy American Legion. Friends may sign the online guestbook or offer condolences to the family at www.hollandcoblefuneralhomes.com.

Gary Harold Ferns was born near What Cheer, Iowa on November 25, 1935 the son of Harold and Verna Johannes Ferns. He attended the Glendale country school and was a 1953 graduate of What Cheer High School. Gary understood the importance of a good education and would later receive a degree from the University of Nebraska. In December of 1954 he enlisted in the United States Army. As a Special Forces Officer, Gary served his country all around the world including Germany, Korea, three tours in Vietnam, Venezuela and Panama. His decorations included the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Silver Star with 1 oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star with 2 oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart with 6 oak leaf clusters, Master Parachutist Badge, Vietnamese Parachutist Badge, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palms. Also while in the military Gary was united in marriage to Patricia Jean Rice on September 21, 1956. To the union four children were born: Alice, Gary Allen, Melody and Michael. In 1976, after serving twenty two years to God and country he retired from the United States Army as Lieutenant Colonel Gary Harold Ferns. Having seen the world through the eyes of a soldier, Gary returned to a quiet little town in Iowa he knew as home. As a second career he started a construction company which he owned and operated until 2006. Gary was an active member of the James Murphy American Legion Post #319, a lifetime member of the VFW and a loyal member of the NRA. Ironically, just a few weeks after his commitment to his country was memorialized on a War Memorial in his home town, Lieutenant Colonel Ferns received God’s commitment of everlasting life.
He is preceded in death by parents, Harold and Verna Ferns; a son, Gary Allen Ferns; a daughter, Alice Lavonne Ott and a brother, Ronald Ferns.
Gary’s legacy will be cherished by his daughter, Melody (Oscar) Lester-Caraway of Kinta, OK, his son, Micheal Ferns of Indianapolis, IN; a brother, Loren (Linda) Ferns of Dixon, IL, three sisters: Shirley (Kenneth) Allison of Oskaloosa, Joanne (Jerry) Asher of Beacon and Gladys Barainca of Eddyville; his five grandsons’ Jason, Michael and Jarrod Lester and Justin and Bryan Ott. He was also blessed with eight great grandchildren.