Gary Dean Rees

Gary Dean Rees, 73 of Cullowhee, NC departed this Earth on Nov. 1, 2023.  He was without a doubt a river to his people.  He survived the head of the river, Sarah Loosier Rees, his wife of 46 years with whom he was faithfully and madly in love and ready to see again.  Surrounded by his 4 children, Catherine Sapp, 53 of Lake Wales, FL, Paul Rees, 47 of Virginia Beach, VA, John Rees, 44 of Buford, GA and Laura Dowda, 41 of Cumming, GA, he passed peacefully to be with our glorious Creator and reunited with the love of his life.  He is also survived by two brothers, David and Wayne Rees and he is preceded by his brother, Danny Rees and parents, Daniel and Theola Rees, all of Tampa, FL.  He adored and is survived also by his 8 grandchildren, Randall Sapp, Jr and Rayna Sapp, Aidan, Alexander, and Hannah Rees of Virginia Beach, Willow and Phoenix Dowda of Cumming, GA, and Max Rees of Buford, GA.

What began as a humble stream transporting his organ to performances with a boat and paddle became a powerful cascade thundering down the mountain in devotion to his family.  Music permeated his life and it was his love of music which he expressed through his Hammond B3, his dedication to bringing joy to others, and the hope of striking it big in the music industry with his band Stonehenge that brought him from his birthplace in Tampa, FL to Atlanta, GA.  However; Gary was destined for a life in which his “wealth and riches shall be in his house [not on the road]: and his righteousness endures forever.”  Psalm 112:3.  

Gary was a man of God, joyful giver, delightful salesman, lifelong musician and piano technician.  He was a father steadfast with his dedication to instill into his offspring the morals and ethics expected as the steward of God’s children.  He was a husband dedicated to the premise of, “happy wife, happy life,” as could be seen by his extensive honey-do list that was always a honey-done list often before the words could be put to paper as he wanted the labors of his love to be enjoyed without delay and never with fuss.  Among his many well played roles and distinguished qualities he was also known to be a man with a healthy and well developed funny bone who could turn any flopped joke into a hearty belly laugh with a simple, “they can’t all be winners.” He appreciated a good movie, artful photography, and a quality camera.  As a hobbyist, he was almost always the photographer and not the subject. In his final moments, he spent quoting his favorite films as well as expressing his love for his family.  He always got a kick when his humor would befall upon those with less developed funny bones who failed to understand his quick wit and ignorantly mistake Gary as a simpleton.  He always let it slide, never pointing out how hilarious he was because the joke was then on they who unwittingly afforded us another reason to giggle at his joke. He always got a kick when his humor would befall upon those with less developed funny bones who failed to understand his quick wit and ignorantly mistake Gary as a simpleton.  He always let it slide, never pointing out how hilarious he was because the joke was then on they who unwittingly afforded us another reason to giggle at his joke.

You are forever loved and will be dearly missed by those who have had the privilege to dwell upon the banks of your river.

A Memorial Service will be held 2:00pm Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023,  at Sugar Creek Baptist Church.  40 Sugar Creek Rd, Cullowhee, NC 28723

Pictures, Music, Food and Celebration Following the service in the Church Hall.

DO NOT SEND FLOWERS TO THE SERVICE.

Please send flowers to 55 Ruff Butte Rd., Cullowhee NC 28723.