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Taken at the 2004 Class reunion
Gary Bockelman, St. Joseph, Mo. // 1951 - 2009
Gary D. Bockelman, 57, St. Joseph, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, March 15, 2009, at his home.
Mr. Bockelman was born on Sept. 8, 1951, in St. Joseph, the son of Gene and Gloria (Stricklen) Bockelman.
He was a 1969 graduate of Lafayette High School and a graduate from Missouri Western State University with a degree in Education.
He was a science teacher and coach for several schools in Missouri and later became a Recreational Director for the Missouri Department of Corrections, Cameron, Mo., and St. Joseph.
He was preceded in death by his father; maternal grandmother, Annabeth Stricklen; and paternal grandparents, Sophie and Albert Bockelman.
Survivors: mother, Gloria Bockelman, St. Joseph; sons, Lucas Bockelman (Amber), Olathe, Kan., and Bryce Bockelman, St. Joseph; brother, Keith Bockelman (Carrie), St. Joseph; niece Karli Bockelman, Craig, Colo.,; and nephew Andy Bockelman, Craig, Colo.
Memorial Service: 3 p.m. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.
The family suggests memorial gifts to the Lafayette High School Boosters Club or Northside Complex.
Mr. Bockelman has been cremated under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory
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Carolyn Seippel (Sidwell)
I rarely ever saw Gary without that big goofy grin of his, except this past year his health problems had reallytaken their toll on him. I did get to see Gary a week ago
at a birthday party for Dave Mejia. He was very much in
his "party mode" and was having the time of his life.
I am so glad that was my last memory of him.
I'll miss his big bear hugs and his yelling out my name
from across the room.
Here's to you Gary. I'm really going to miss you!!!!!!!
Phyllis Marqui
I'm very saddened to hear of Gary's passing. He was such a nice guy. I will always remember him with a big grin on his face. He will be sadly missed at our reunion. My heart felt prayers go out to his family.Ron Burgess
Bock was an adversary, classmate, teammate and friend through the years. Although I knew him from Little League earlier, my first solid association came when his Washington Generals (not the Globetrotter's opponent) seventh grade basketball team met my Lindbergh squad for the City Recreation League title. It was held at City Auditorium. It was quite the thrill to be playing there. His Washington team was rough, tough and foul happy against my much more talented team (that's the way I saw it at the time). He completly dominated the game. Whether he did or not, that's what he always told me.We became basketball teammates in high school. He had some excellent games. He always told me he could have had some more if the coaching philosophy had been different. We defeated Central in the Class L Regional our junior season. We must have made Central mad because no other City team would beat them for several years. Anyway, Bock was the leading scorer in the game. The next morning paper gave me all the credit. Bock was livid. I told him the reporter must have been thinking about the many assists that I made to him (Bock) in the paint.
Bock was the driving force behind the 1969 Alumni team(s). Although he hadn't played on a regular basis for a number of years or even missed a few tournaments, everyone would always ask "Have you seen Bock". For the past 25 years or so, he would call me every now and then. Must not have been a party going on. When we saw each other, he would refer to me as "Downtown Chickie" Burgess. I'll miss that.
Like us all, he had some flaws. Okay, maybe one or two more than the rest of us. But his true friends could look past that. He was an All-City friend to many.
Thomas G. Angsten
To a Friend, Gary Bockelman, I will truly miss you my friend. I will miss seeing that great big smile of yours. I will miss seeing you come through those gym doors and waddle over to the guys. I will miss you putting your arms around me and hugging me telling me you love me. I will miss your middle of the night calls. I will miss knowing that whenever I came back to St Joe I would get to see you. I will miss that big lovable heart of yours. DARN YOU, why didn't you take better care of yourself. One thing I won't miss and that is all the good and funny memories you gave me, I will always have those and will never forget. I love you too Gary.Your friend, Greg
Stephen Allen
Gary was the BMOL (Big man of Lafayette) I remember that he loved to joke around and he would try to keep a straight face to deny the joke he just played on someone. Basically a real nice guy who would talk to anyone anywhere. He always tried to help out as depicted by his association to education and athletics. A real BOOSTER and will be sadly missed by all who knew him (especially at this 40 yr reunion).God's speed, buddy!
LHSKID
Cathy Carrel (Sontheimer)
I received these comments in an email... Cathy
Gary was at first a opponent to me across the football line when I played for Central. He gave me a bloody nose during the game. Then he and Joe Miller became great friends with me. Gary was a groomsman in my wedding. We had just talked 2 weeks ago that he was going to come to Branson and see me.
He will be greatly missed by me and my family. He was "Uncle Buck" to my kids. Please post this for me.
Thank you John Huffman
Danny Kukuc
HERE'S TO YOU BIG GARY. I STILL REMEMBER THE FRIDAY NIGHT BALL GAME'S WHERE YOU WOULD SLAM THE BALL HOME AND THEN HAUL IT BACK DOWN TO THE THE OTHER END. I HAD NOT SEEN HIM FOR SEVERAL YEAR'S UNTIL ONE NIGHT WE BOTH CHECKED IN AT HEARTLAND HOSP. FOR A SLEEP STUDY,I COULD TELL THEN HE WAS SLOWING DOWN, BUT HE ALWAY'S WAS THE JOKER OF THE BUNCH.HE HAD THE STAFF ALMOST IN TEARS FROM HIS HAPPY GO LUCKY WAY HE HAD. HE WILL BE TRULY MISSED BUT I KNOW HE WILL BE LOOKING ON US FROM TIME TO TIME.HE HAD A HEART OF GOLD!Mike Lucas
It is so sad and sobering to experience the passing of someone who we have shared such close life experiences with. As an African-American kid in 1950's and 60's Missouri, I was aware of the descriminatory nature of our society at the time, but I was fortunately spared direct, open bigotry for the most paart because of families like the Bockelmans. I still vividly remember the first time I ever visited Gary at home when we were about 10 years old.A bunch of us had been playing "kill the man with football" in a lot on Corby St. I went over to Gary's house later and he, his brother Keith, and I played with a beautiful Lionel train set his dad had set up in a room. I remember going in the house, meeting his parents, and being invited to stay and play; no fanfare, just anotheer kid from the neighborhood.
That's how I remember Gary; as one of the guys of a closely knit group of us who attended Washington Grade School from the 3rd through the 8th and on through Lafayette.
Michael Wolfe
Hey Bock,I hadn't seen you for awhile, but we ran into each other at Ben Magoon's a few months ago, and had a great visit. You said I should visit your Mom and clear up that situation about her couch that broke in 1967. You said she would get a big kick out of a visit and explanation. Never made it for a visit with her, but I'll put it here for you.
Gloria, I broke the couch, (with a tremendous amount of help from Gary and Bill Horn}, I might add. No more explaining really necessary.
I first met Gary when I was 11 years old and we played baseball at Lions Field, with his mother as our manager. Only team with a female manager I ever played on, but we had a great time that summer. Gary and I became good friends that summer in 1962 and pretty much stayed that way the rest of our lives. I'm going to miss you giving me hell for not playing Alumni Basketball every year, but we'll play again together down the road sometime.
Bock, you will be missed by all that knew you and had the pleasure to call you friend.
Your friend,
Mike Wolfe
Gary Thompson
Bock, I sure wish you had found a way to come down here to Houston one of these past years, like we talked about every April at the basketball tournament. We would have had fun here just like we always did there. We're all going to tell Bock stories this coming reunion, and I will laugh out loud and cry inside at the same time. Born on the same day we were, hair brothers from day one. You saved me from drowning when we were in high school - I wish I could have saved you, too, Gary. Give your Grandma a big hug for me. I love you and I'll miss you.