Gary Bachinski, of Jordan, passed away peacefully on July 2nd, 2019, at the age of 68.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, July 13 at 11 am, with a time of gathering starting at 9:30 am, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation , 104 First Street W , Jordan. Rev. Eugene Theisen will preside. Interment at St John. Ca lvary Cemetery .
On Saturday, August 19th, 1950, the era of Gary J. Bachinski dawned. And o ver the course of the following near seven decades , the world undoubtedly found itself fortunate enough to have been stricken by the same joyful affliction that had long enthralled the whole of his family. Dazzled by the All-American Renaissance man who truly ran the gamut.
A standout football player, yet a supremely-gifted musician and songwriter. A fiercely-independent and unapologetic free spirit, yet a pragmatic student of the world. A man who even in his tastes, managed to balance an affinity for the finest of vinyl records with an appreciation for automotive machines so pristine that they earned nicknames like “The Black Beauty”.
Gary was a man who throughout his life, and despite his innate sophistication, remained steadfastly true to his humble salt of the earth roots. A man who from the earliest age was never afraid to roll-up his sleeves, be it drawing the ire of his mother by securing a job in a saw mill at the age of 14, driving truck in the sweltering Texas heat, or developing an incalculably large collection of calluses after years spent laboring in machine shops as far away as Ohio and Mississippi.
But when we think of Gary, we don’t necessarily anchor our remembrances to the places he once lived or the jobs he once held. We remember him for the things that a timeline simply cannot contain. We remember the overwhelming content of his character. His unique qualities, those that inform and give shape to our fondest memories, the qualities that will ensure that a man we all held so dear forever remains a fixture in our thoughts.
We remember a jokester so kind that there wasn’t a frown he couldn’t crack. A man so generous that he would go without so that we could live never having been so much as grazed by want. We remember a selfless man who served as the leaning post for the weary, a serenely-sympathetic ear for those in turmoil, and an inexhaustible rock for those besieged by storms. We remember an unflinchingly-dedicated defender, advocate, and counselor. A man of encyclopedic knowledge, razor-sharp wit, and refreshingly-blunt opinions. Ultimately, we remember a man so special that each of us was made better simply by having known him.
And while today we mourn the closing of his earthly chapter, we must not forget how blessed we were to call Gary: father, son, brother, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. And even though we may be blinded by despair, we must remember how fortunate we are that so much of him still remains with us.
So if you seek him, you need only look to his sons, the single-greatest elements of his legacy, and you will find him. If, amid times of triumph, you seek his trademark sideways grin, his unmistakably-soothing authenticity, and his fire-lighting passion, you need only look to Shawn and you will find him. If, amid times of tribulation, you seek his calming stoicism, his bottomless well of guiding wisdom, and his encouraging patience, you need only look to Eric and you will find him.
Should you ever feel the coldness of separation, watch a movie and you’ll feel his presence sitting beside you. Should the quiet become deafening, crank the radio and you’ll hear his voice. And should sorrow creep into your heart, always remember that Gary himself never dealt in “goodbyes”, only “see you laters”.
Gary is survived by his sons, Shawn (Erica Shepard) Bachinski , Eric (Angela) Bachinski ; grandson, Zane Bishop: mother, Josephine “Jo” Bachinski ; siblings, Georgia (Andy) Rehbein, Donna Heitz, Ken (Cindy Meyer) Bachinski, Dan Bachinski, Linda (Jim) Janovsky, Paula (Carl Johnson) Bachinski ; along with numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, George Bachinski.
