Garry DeWald

Garry Ray DeWald, Sr., lovingly known as “Papa,” passed away peacefully at home in Motley, September 24, 2025, surrounded by the land and family he loved.

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

Garry was born October 14, 1958 to Richard and Esther DeWald in Fort Walton, Florida. He 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 welderl skilled with his hands, hardworking and committed to building things that lasted.

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, asking questions, 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 wife, Domita; two sons, Anthony and Garry; four daughters, Sarah, Karen, Samanth and Juanita; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; mother Esther; three brothers, Robert, Kenny and James DeWald and two sisters, Linda Thunberg and Cathy DeWald. 

He now joins his father Richard; one sister Rita and one 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.

Arrangements are entrusted the Brenny Funeral Home, Staples. 

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