September 27, 1942 ~ June 16, 2025
82 Years Old
Gary Giese Obituary
A Funeral Mass for Deacon Gary Giese, 82, of Nacogdoches, will be held at 3:00pm on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A visitation will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Monday, June 23, 2025, with a Rosary Service at 6:00pm at Laird Funeral Home. Deacon Gary passed away on June 16, 2025, in Nacogdoches. He was born on September 27, 1942, in Burlington, Iowa to the late Walter P. and Dorine (Trosen) Giese.
Growing up on the Southside of Chicago made Gary Giese tough. He excelled in football while in high school. After graduating, Gary enlisted in the Marines. He gave them 10.5 years of service. Gary did 1.5 tours in Vietnam and was a Marine Drill Sergeant for 2 years. After leaving the Marines, Gary began working in the restaurant business. He was a manager when he met Kathy, being her boss. The two were soon married. They moved to Longview where he was a manager for Red Lobster and Long John Silvers. In 1977, Gary and Kathy moved to Nacogdoches and he opened the Long John Silver store on North Street. He then went on to Church’s Chicken and Popeyes where he was a regional manager.
Gary was ordained a Deacon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and held that title for over 16 years.
Gary was a gruff man but loved his family fiercely. He coached little league baseball and flag football. He was a devoted supporter in all his grandchildren’s sports. He never missed a game, whether it was early morning basketball games to late night baseball/softball tournaments. They could count on him, rain or shine to be there- front row in his scooter. To his grandkids, he wasn’t just a spectator— he was a constant supporter and a big believer in their dreams. You would always find him wearing his Notre Dame apparel supporting the Luck of the Irish. He loved when football season would kick off but he also followed men’s and women’s basketball teams. He wore that navy and gold proudly. “God Bless and Go Irish!”
Gary also had a passion for service and spent many years in Habitat for Humanity building houses. He was part of the Minister Alliance group where he cooked turkeys every Thanksgiving to give to those in need.
Gary was known as “Sarge” or “Granny Goose” to his military buddies, Deacon Gary to his church family, but his title as Papa was most sacred to his heart. Gary will be greatly missed in his church community but mostly to his family and friends.
Gary is survived by his children, Tony Giese and wife, Ayrika, Julie Giese Craft, Kurt Giese and wife, Nancy, and Don Carpenter; grandchildren, Addison Giese, Kason Henderson, Zane Henderson, Tyson Giese, Megan Giese, Andrew Giese, and Jessica Craft; and sister-in-law, Lil Scarbrough and husband, Roy.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Kathy Giese; parents, Walter P. and Dorine Giese; and brothers, Wayne and Larry Giese.
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