10/04/2022
Gary Lee Verwers was born July 7, 1946, in Gosport, Iowa the son of William Edward and Daisy May (Phipps) Verwers.
Gary graduated from Knoxville High School with the Class of 1964.
He always said that he knew since he was a little kid what he wanted to do with his life; he turned that dream into his reality when he began working as a police officer for the City of Knoxville.
Gary was the first school resource officer (liaison officer) for the Knoxville Community School District. He made a positive impact on the lives of so many youths who often turned to him for advice and guidance.
While he managed the Knoxville School System’s transportation department for a period, he went back into law enforcement becoming the Chief Deputy at the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. He later served as Sheriff, retiring in 2007. Gary was proud of his career and service to the community.
Through the years, Gary also served as a volunteer for Knoxville Fire & Rescue and the Knoxville Raceway Fire Crew. He was also a past president of the Marion County Fair Board where he fueled his love for racing.
Gary was also a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years.
In his retirement, Gary managed a car wash and most recently volunteered at The Well in Knoxville. Gary was a proud Marion County citizen – no one was a stranger to him.
Gary married Sharry Freel in 1967 and had two daughters, Kelly and Kisha. In 1976, he married April and had a daughter, Krissy.
In his spare time, Gary enjoyed woodworking and was an avid collector. Gary was extremely proud of his family, especially his children, and grandchildren.
Gary passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at the Knoxville Hospital & Clinics at the age of 76 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Bonnie, and her husband Darrell Coulson.
Those left to honor Gary’s memory include his wife, April; daughters: Kelly (Gerard) Meyers of Indianola, Kisha (Roy) Jahner of Knoxville, and Krissy (Josh) Link of Knoxville; 6 grandchildren: Brock Helwig, Chandler Jahner, Ella Jahner, Brady Meyers, Holt Link, and Blythe Link and many other family members and friends.