Gary Aldrich

Gary Aldrich, age 78, of Grants Pass, Oregon passed away, Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at his home.

Gary was born August 7, 1934 in Tacoma, Washington. He and his family moved to Oakland, California at age 14. He graduated from Oakland High School. He moved to Grants Pass in 1999 after retiring.

On February 14, 1964 he married Janet “Jan” Pitcher in Berkeley, California, who survives. His career was in the trucking business. He worked for Midway Trucking for 43 years, starting as a mechanic, driving for 15 years and ran the warehouse and dispatched for the last 27 years.

He was an avid sports fan, an Oakland Raider season ticket holder for 25 years. His other favorite teams were the Oakland A’s and Oregon Ducks. Gary loved NASCAR, with Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. being his favorite drivers. He loved working with wood and built incredible birdhouses, with wooden windows, rock foundations and stained glass windows. They are mini mansions. He also enjoyed reading, playing Bunco and Mexican Train. He was a member of the Teamsters, the Western Welcome Newcomers Club and is a veteran of the United States Navy. In addition, he volunteered at Book Lore and More and the Grants Pass Museum of Art.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Erik and his wife Deanna of Roseville, California; a brother, Theodore “Bud” Goranson and his wife Patty of Porterville, California; aunts; uncles; nieces; nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Edith Aubrey and son, Gary “Roc” Aldrich.

A celebration of life will be at 1:00 p.m., February 10, 2013 at Taprock Event Center, 940 SE 7th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association or your favorite charity.