|
A poet, painter, film maker and friend died with Gary on that Saturday morning. One of the most creative and complex minds I have ever encountered, Gary often liked to refer to himself as an “over-educated under-achiever” yet it was I that always came away as the one most enriched from our discussions. Realizing that we had both survived the adventures of a misspent youth, our paths diverged until years later when he returned to the east coast to regroup after the tragic loss of his wife Gigi. Rather than return to California, Gary chose to remain so that he could provide care for his parents and sister.
His last words to me, through the haze of a morphine pain-killer, were: “The River never ends” and “Destroy the evidence!”
I’ll let you know when I figure that one out Buddy!
Submitted by Jay Brawner
|
Gonzalo Accame
May you rest in peace and be reunited with GigiRick Bradley
So sad to hear about the passing of Gary Adkins. I do want to say that I have so many great memories of Gary.
I will say one thing for sure...among all the areas of life that Gary loved...he loved to run! He was one of the fastest guys on the track team and he ran forever. I would be amazed that he never stopped running during practice.
I am sure that he is as free as the wind now.....just like in high school.
Debra Katz (Berg)
Over the years I have thought of Gary often. He was one of the most talented and creative souls I have known. May he rest in peace! You are missed Gary by all who loved and knew you!
Judy Samuelson (Brandman)
I’ve known Gary since the year before he entered Churchill High School. We spoke a time or two through the years after that, but lost touch and did not fully reconnect until a few years ago. At that time, I discovered that he had led an interesting and exciting life which was, for the most part, happy and self-satisfying. However, particularly when Gigi (his wife) took ill, it did include some physically and emotionally draining times. But he met and embraced his responsibilities and helped her during her last days to the best of his ability and with love. He also gave his unconditional love and support to helping his parents.
Gary embraced life as well as his responsibilities. He was a creative, intense, dedicated, and caring man who will be missed very much by those who were fortunate enough to know him. With love and a wish for peaceful journeys, Gary!
Judy (Samuelson) Brandman
Judy Samuelson (Brandman)
I wish you were here to see that Bob Dylan has won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature. He is the first musician to win this award, and I know how much he and his music meant to you.... Always in our hearts......Judy
Carolyn Collen (Collen-DuBose)
That's right: Gary Adkins + Bob Dylan. The two were inextricably linked for me. We were such great friends in
those important years. Gary Adkins and Rubber Soul. Gary and our rapidograph pens - drawing all day long.
We would walk to each other's houses just to draw in our sketch pads.
We lost track of each other. And how sad it was for me to learn that there could be no re-connect.
Let me just add to the friends' comments above that Gary was important in a special way to my becoming who I am.
Frederick Foote
Gary was a deep soul and a wonderful poet while at WCHS. I remember one poem of Gary's about a train, which over the course of the poem, became a symbol of fate. It ended with the lines:
no
strangers, yes
holy slow train
Jeffrey Auger
Gary Adkins,
May you be resting peacefully in our Lord Jesus's loving arms.
Jeffrey Auger