Gary Arvy Bannon, 84, of Dana Point, California, passed away peacefully at home on September 27, 2024, where he was receiving hospice care for advanced COPD. Gary, born on August 17, 1940, in Winfield, Kansas, was the middle child of Arvy and Elanor Bannon. He attended a one-room schoolhouse as his first school and grew up on farms near Douglass, Kansas. Warmth, strong relationships, an adventurous spirit, and an enduring dedication to family defined Gary's life.

Gary graduated from Douglass High School in 1958. He then went to El Dorado Junior College and served as Student Council President. Unsurprising to his family, friends, and all who knew him, a note in his 1959 yearbook describes Gary as "a sweet, fun-loving guy with a glowing personality."

In 1960, Gary married Julene Harting. They first met when Gary worked at Larson's Shoes and Julie worked at the nearby drugstore. They moved to Wichita, where he worked part-time selling shoes at Macy's while completing his bachelor's degree at Wichita State University. After college, Gary taught high school English and history. Later, while living in Wichita, Gary worked with a small company that sold the first generation of overhead projectors. This move led to Gary's long and distinguished career in educational technology sales until he retired in 2012.

The family settled in Overland Park, Kansas, in the early 1970s, where Gary launched his own company, and he and Julie raised their daughter and two sons. In 1988, Gary, Julie, and their youngest son moved to Glendora, California, with their older son and daughter later relocating to Southern California. During their years in Glendora and then over two decades in La Verne, Gary and Julie were active members of Glenkirk Church, where Gary served as a deacon. He embraced the Southern California lifestyle, taking pride in cultivating his patios and backyards, especially his citrus trees and rose bushes. In 2022, they moved to Dana Point, where Gary served as HOA treasurer for his community.

A doting grandfather, Gary delighted in sharing his passions, taking his grandchildren on adventures and encouraging their curiosity about the world. Another of Gary's joys was traveling with Julie, with the California coast and Europe being their favorite destinations. He held a deep affection for his ancestral Ireland. Gary also loved country music, and his bond with beautiful landscapes and mountains was constant. He rarely missed a "Vista Point" pullout on a road trip. Fittingly, he chose a green burial at Joshua Tree Memorial Park.

Gary is survived by his wife, Julie; his children, Kimberly Jones (David) of Dana Point, Michael Bannon (Cyndi) of Escondido, and Patrick Bannon (Sunni) of Kirkland, Washington; and his grandchildren, Ian Jones, Brooke Bannon (Justin Mizelle), Eric Jones, Ryan Bannon, John Bannon, Clara Bannon, and many other beloved family and friends. He was predeceased by his sisters, Joanne Marsh and Carolyn Reheis.

Gary was a caring and generous husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He always cherished a courtesy call or text to know his family had arrived home safely. And so now, his family takes comfort in knowing he arrived home safely, too.