Gary Dale Welzbacker 1939 – 2025

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Gary Dale Welzbacker (28 March 1939 – 25 July 2025), a long time Humboldt County resident, passed away surrounded by his loved ones at his home in Lemoore, California on 25 July 2025 at the age of 86.

He was born on 28 March 1939, to his parents Peter and Francis (McKeel) Welzbacker in Portland, Oregon. Gary’s mother Francis passed away when Gary was around 8 years old, and from that point he was raised by his Father and Step-Mother Sadie Welzbacker. Around this same time his family moved to Fortuna, California where he attended all of Fortuna Schools, Graduating from Fortuna High School in 1958.

Shortly thereafter, Gary met the Love of his life, June Elaine Pearson, they were married 18 November 1960 and were forever together until God took him home. This November would have been 65 years of Loving Marriage.

Gary began his life Journey as a Meat Cutter, first in Fortuna, then for Harold Mendes at Mendes Market in Redway, California. Gary and June had 2 sons, William (Bill) born 19 April 1962 and Daniel born 17 December 1963, which kept them both very busy.

Gary became interested in Police work, riding along with the local Sherrif Deputies, ultimately culminating in Gary attending California Highway Patrol Academy in Sacramento, California. Gary’s initial CHP assignment was in the San Francisco Office, then he subsequently transferred to the Oakland Office, then the Vallejo Office.

In 1971 he was able to transfer to the Garberville Office to enable him to take care of his elderly parents who still lived in Fortuna. Gary would spend the rest of his career working out of the Garberville Office in the capacity of Traffic Officer, then Commercial Officer which he worked until his retirement in 1993.

Gary was a very well-respected member of the CHP as well as his community. He always had a CHP story ready for just about every situation under the sun, which made his last 3 years very stressful for all dealing with his Dementia, especially for Gary, who still remembered most of his stories, but the locations, dates and times became dimmer over time.

Gary loved to fish, hunt, and play golf. He fished every chance he got, Bill took him fishing on the Sacramento River several times and Dan and Valerie took Gary on his last ocean fishing trip out of Morro Bay at the ripe age of 83. Gary and June spent many of his early retirement years traveling, enjoying over 20 years as “Snowbirds” in their beautiful Motorhome before health issues forced them into a more ‘low key’ stay at home life.

Gary is survived by his Wife of 64 years 10 months June Elaine (Pearson) Welzbacker, his Sons William (Sylvia) Welzbacker and Dan (Valerie) Welzbacker, Sister-In-Laws June Welzbacker and Betty Escher, Grandchildren Geneva, Andrew, Athena, Elora and Emily Welzbacker, Step-Grandchildren Kyle, Travis Harrison, Larissa (Nick) Arbuthnot, Donavan Pogue Great-Grandchildren Daniel Loehr and Rebecca Thomas, Step-Great-Grandchildren Makala, Austin, Aubree Harrison, Lila, Camden Arbuthnot, as well as several Nieces, Nephews, friends and other family members.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Francis, Peter and Sadie Welzbacker, In-Laws James Pearson, Mina and Elmer Miller, Brothers Peter, Robert, and Lloyd Welzbacker, Brother-In-Law Don Escher, Sister-In-Laws Kay, Diane Welzbacker, Rosie Teasley and Carol Clark.

At Gary’s request, there will be no Services.