Gary McAlpine 1932-2015
Gary Lee McAlpine Sr., 82, Holton, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at his home.
He was born Nov. 16, 1932, in Los Angeles, Calif., the son of Phillip Alonzo and Laura Herrnberger McAlpine. He graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1952 and had lived in Barstow, Calif., before moving to Holton about a year ago.
Mr. McAlpine served in the National Guard for two years and later in the U.S. Army for three years in Germany, from 1955 to 1957. He had worked for Santa Fe Railroad as a mechanic in San Bernadino, Calif., Topeka and later in Barstow, Calif. He retired after 38 years of service. He later worked as a flying scale mechanic for semi truck weights and measures in Alaska for the pipeline. He invented the portable scales used presently by law enforcement.
He was a member of the Southern Baptist Church and served as music director for the church.
He married Mary Ann Graham on Nov. 29, 1953. She died Aug. 17, 2009. He also was preceded in death by two daughters, Donna Childers, in 2002, and Melody McAlpine, in 1964; and a brother, Earl McAlpine.
Survivors include three sons, Gary L. McAlpine Jr., Matthew McAlpine and Mark McAlpine, all of Holton; three sisters, Phyllis McAlpine, Highland, Calif., Darline Green, Fontana, Calif., and Laura Adams, in Connecticut; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Cremation is planned and a private family celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Mercer Funeral Home in Holton is assisting the family.
