GARY EDEN
Gary Dale Eden, 73, of Columbus, took his final breath on this earth while surrounded by his loving family singing, praying and holding his hands May 22 at Parkview Manor in Weimar.
He was born Nov. 3, 1947 to Henry Carl Eden and Virginia Eloise (Thompson) Eden in Burnet. On June 17, 1967 Gary married his high school sweetheart, Cindy Dawn McFarland, and they would have celebrated 54 years together next month. Gary and Cindy had two loving daughters: LaTrisha (Eden) Dillard and Shelley Eden.
Gary was a member of West Oaks Church of Christ in Columbus, which he spent most of his life dedicated to. He led singing, preached when needed, and was an Elder for many years. He made sure never to miss when the doors were open.
Gary wore many hats over the years of his life. He served in the army in the late 1960s. When he felt he was only moments from being sent to Vietnam, he chose to leave the service of the army and serve in another way. He was hired by the Alvin Police Department where his father-in-law was Police Captain. He worked as an Alvin Police Officer until 1972. He then went to Austin to the DPS Academy and became a State Trooper, working for 30 years in Colorado County.
After retiring from DPS in 2002, he decided he just wasn’t finished yet and returned to school and got his real estate license. He worked with his nieces at Coldwell Banker for a few years until realizing that his heart was still in law enforcement. Gary decided he just couldn’t stay away, so he returned to the Sheriff’s Department for a few more years before finally hanging up his hat and retiring for good. He was loved dearly by family, friends and the community and was well respected by all.
Gary is survived by his wife Cindy Eden; daughters LaTrisha Dillard and husband Danny, and Shelley Eden; brothers Randy Eden and wife Cynthia, and Bruce Eden and wife Laura; grandchildren Elyssa Dillard, Jayden Dillard, Aaron Faldyn and wife Reghan, Mackenzie Faldyn and Kerigan Faldyn; great-grandchild Raelynn Grace Faldyn and another on the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents Henry Carl Eden and Virginia Eloise (Eden) Mayse; step-father Ray Mayse; sister Brenda Hall (who passed away one week earlier) and her husband Jimmy.
Visitation will be Friday, May 28 from 5-7 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, and Saturday from 8-10 a.m.
Funeral service will be Saturday, May 29 at 10 a.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus with Barry Pennington officiating.
Burial will take place in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus.
Pallbearers are Randy Eden, Bruce Eden, Jeremy Eden, Aaron Faldyn, Danny Dillard, Jayden Dillard, and Kevin Coufal.
Honorary pallbearers are DPS State Troopers and Colorado County Sheriff’s Department Officers.
Memorials can be given to Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 8th Ave, Ste 902, New York, NY 10018.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.