Gary Phillip Noel

Gary Phillip Noel, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed peacefully at the age of 73 with his family by his side in Owensboro, Kentucky, on Sunday, November 11, 2018. Gary has entered his eternal reward with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Gary was born on September 2, 1945 in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Shelby Noel and Margaret Lewis. Gary grew up in Quincy, Illinois, where he graduated from Quincy Senior High School. Quincy is also where he met the love of his life, Jeanette "Nettie" Higgins, and they were wed at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on June 10, 1967. During their 51 years of marriage, Nettie regularly referred to Gary as her knight in shining armor – a title he lived up to well.

Gary and Nettie moved to San Francisco soon after their wedding while he was stationed there during part of his years in the United States Navy, where he served on the USS Somers destroyer. When Gary was deployed, a pregnant Nettie moved back to Quincy. As soon as he was honorably discharged in 1968, Gary raced back there to be with Nettie and their beautiful new, musically-inclined baby girl, Jacqueline. Almost five years later they added a basketball-bouncing baby boy, Scott. They enthusiastically supported all of their kids' endeavors, never missing piano recitals, pom-pom performances, Cub Scouts, sporting events, family vacations, or anything else. That same enthusiasm increased fourfold when their four grandchildren came along.

Gary had a curious, sharp mind, always wanting to know how things worked and bewildering his kids with the math he could do so quickly in his head. He started his professional career as a tool designer and worked hard to become the plant manager of facilities and maintenance for a large air compressor manufacturer. He had similar roles throughout his career at different companies and also served as the Director of Public Works in one community.

Gary's contributions to every community he lived in were innumerable, including years of serving: on the Quincy Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament Committee; as Board Vice President of St. Vincent de Paul of Owensboro; as a board member of the Western Kentucky Botanical Gardens; as an active member of St. Pius X Catholic Church; as a hospital volunteer, and many, many more.

Gary was well known for his life lessons, quips, and jokes…rarely missing an opportunity to share them. But one of the most precious gifts he shared with his family was his unconditional love and vigorous support. His pride in their accomplishments beamed at all times. And in trying situations where some may get upset and raise their voices, he instead calmly asked, "What did you do wrong and how can you do better next time?" There was never any question he loved his family beyond measure.

Gary courageously lived with pulmonary fibrosis for the last several years of his life – never complaining, still thinking about his family's needs until the very end and always making sure they knew how much he loved them.

Gary is survived by his wife, Nettie Noel; daughter and son-in-law, Jacqueline Noel and Chris Ringwald; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Staci Noel; and four grandchildren, Jackson & Noel Ringwald and Etta & Beckett Noel. He was preceded in death by his parents, Shelby and Margaret.

The funeral service for Mr. Gary Noel will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 19 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3418 HWY 144, with Fr. Tom Buckman officiating. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, 900 Old Hartford Rd., Owensboro, KY, from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. Sunday with prayers and sharing from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. Additional visitation will take place after 9:00 a.m. Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Pius X Catholic Church.

The family cannot express enough gratitude to everyone for their caring and prayers throughout this time – especially the members of St. Pius X, friends from Quincy and other places, and the staff at the Owensboro Health Regional Hospital and the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs.

Memories and condolences for the family of Mr. Gary Phillip Noel may be shared at www.glenncares.com