Gary Fangboner, former resident of Lake Orion and Elk Rapids Michigan, passed away peacefully in hospice surrounded by his family. He was born February 20, 1938 and passed away September 15, 2019. Gary was 81-years-old.

Gary was born and raised in East Lansing, Michigan. He was the eldest of four children born to the late Marian and Harold Fangboner. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce. He is survived by his sister Gail Groothuis, his brothers, Carl Fangboner & Glen Fangboner, his son Chris Fangboner, his daughter Susan Smith, daughter-in-law Amy Throckmorton Fangboner, son-in-law Mike Smith, and three grandchildren, Hayley & Max Fangboner, and Aidan Smith.

Gary received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education from Michigan State University. Following graduation, he began teaching elementary school in the Avondale school district. He met his future wife, Joyce, also a teacher, in a sandbox where their respective students were playing. They married on December 22, 1962, during their winter break from school. After a short career in teaching, Gary became an investigator for the department of Civil Rights for the State of Michigan. He investigated claims of discrimination of all kinds throughout southeastern Michigan, and continued this career until his retirement in 1993.

Upon retirement, he and Joyce moved to Elk Rapids, Michigan. They built a house next to the cabin where they and their kids had vacationed every summer for 15 years. In Elk Rapids, Gary volunteered his time at the local elementary school, the library, the chamber of commerce, local & regional genealogy societies, and church. He enjoyed attending high-school and middle-school sports games in Elk Rapids, knowing most of the players from his many years volunteering in the schools.

Gary had a great sense of humor, and was known for his kindness, his easy smile, and his optimism. In addition to his volunteer work, he loved music, genealogy, playing the piano, reading, gardening, history, and generally being silly with his family. In his prime, he won at least two games of Trivial Pursuit in a single turn, without giving the other players a chance to play. In his final years, Alzheimer’s Disease took away his Trivial Pursuit prowess, but not his kindness nor his smile.

Gary was a loving and beloved husband, father, grandparent, brother, and friend who will be missed greatly. He eagerly attended every performance, sports game, and event that involved his kids. He volunteered to coach his daughter’s soccer team, despite not having a single athletic bone in his body. He learned to coach by borrowing books from the library, of course.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 29^th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Rd, in Livonia, Michigan. A short memorial service will follow at noon.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Alzheimer’s Association or the library of your choice.