Gary C. Lybrook, 84, of Bloomington, formerly of Kokomo passed away unexpectedly Saturday afternoon, November 18th at IU Health Hospital in Bloomington.  He was born July 28, 1933 in Kokomo to Claude F. and Mabel (Gearheart) Lybrook.  He was married to Susan Thomas from 1955 – 1984.  He then married Lou Ann Ellers in 1985 and she survives.

Gary earned his Bachelors degree from Purdue University in Electrical Engineering.  He went on to work for Delco Electronics in Kokomo for 27 years retiring in 1998.  On is 80th birthday in 2013 he earned his Certified Master Electrician Certification.  He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Bloomington and former member of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Kokomo.  He was very active in his Church, and enjoyed traveling, his grandchildren and electrical work.  He served his country in the US Army Medical Corp from November of 1955 to September of 1957.

Gary was known to his family and friends as someone who always had a smile on his face. Even in the toughest of times or when he might of disagreed, he was still smiling. He never met anyone who wasn’t a friend. He may hold the record for the number of waiters and waitresses he engaged in conversations around the world. His middle name might have really been “Happy”. Gary had a loving and generous spirit, especially with his family, followed by his friends, colleagues, fellow church members and almost anyone else whose path he crossed. He was more giving than anyone could ever ask or imagine. 

Gary loved to figure things out, especially technical things. His brain never stopped trying to turn challenges into solutions. From the time he spent playing basketball, the game he loved and with the nickname “Smiley” at Northwestern High School to his time farming and giving it all up to attend Purdue and getting his degree in Electrical Engineering, he never stopped helping people and working to figure things out, for his family or for others. 

The next chapter of his life started with his time at Delco Electronics, where he could apply his newly learned skill. His family has never been sure why he had that retirement party from Delco. After that, he seemed to be busier than before he retired. The family always joked with him that he would have to go back to work if he really wanted to relax. 

To Gary, family meant everything and always came first. But he still wanted to help others and understand how things worked or why they didn’t. So, late in life Gary embarked on getting Certified Master Electrician credentials. On Gary’s 80th birthday, he received notice he had passed his exam and was officially certified. Up to and including his last day on earth he was helping others and figuring out simple and complex electrical issues. He would often lay awake at night playing through all the scenarios in his mind. He wouldn’t stop until he figured it out, whatever it was.  But that always came after helping his family and especially his wife Lou Ann. 

Gary will always be remembered by family and friends as caring, loving, always smiling and always helping others first.  

Surviving family include his wife Lou Ann Lybrook, Bloomington; his children, Timothy C. (Catherine) Lybrook, Bloomington; Polly E. Lybrook (Mick) Parker, Bloomington; David G. (Anne) Lybrook, Cicero; Richard (Mary) Woolington, Indianapolis and Julie (Drew) Frey, Bloomington.  He is also survived by ten grandchildren, Chad (Tane’) Lybrook, Blaine (Jessica) Lybrook, Garrett Kane, Madeline Kane, Alex Frey, Adam Frey, Spencer Lybrook, Carly Lybrook, Evie Lybrook and Rex Woolington. Also surviving are his two great grandchildren, Jordan and Torrance Lybrook and siblings, Joy (Richard) Welch, Lafayette; Alexis Taubert, Chicago; and Claudia (Gary) Dixon, Birmingham.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Thelma Lybrook and Mabel German.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 705 Southway Blvd, Kokomo with Pastor William Allison officiating.  Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens, Kokomo.  Visitation will be held from 3 – 7 p.m. Friday, November 24th at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Kokomo.  Memorial contributions may be made to  Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 705 Southway Blvd. Kokomo, IN  46902 or Faith Lutheran Church, 2200 S. High St. Bloomington, IN  47401.

A memorial service will also be held in Bloomington on December 2nd at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 2200 South High Street, Bloomington, Indiana

Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston has been entrusted with arrangements. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com

 Service Information