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In Memory

Garry Tuller - Class Of 1964

Garry Lee Tuller

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Garry Lee Tuller

Jan. 3, 1946 - Sept. 6, 2015

HILL CITY, Kan. -- Garry Lee Tuller, 69, passed away Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015. 

He was born Jan. 3, 1946, at Oberlin, Kansas, to Dane and Roxie (Heller) Tuller.

He grew up in McCook, Nebraska, graduatng from McCook schools in 1964.

At the age of 16, he joined the volunteer fire service. Throughout his life, he continued as a volunteer fireman and served with the Arvada, Colorado, fire department, at that time the largest volunteer fire service in the U.S. As an EMT, he owned and managed an ambulance service in Lincoln, Nebraska, in addition to training future EMTs and establishing ambulance services in various Nebraska towns. Garry also flew with the helicopter life support, going as far as California with patients. He was also a police chief and deputy sheriff in Nebraska and undercover detective. Two of the highlights of his law enforcement career were serving security for Robert Kennedy when he campaigned in McCook, Nebraska, and having Melbourne Stone (Doc, on "Gunsmoke") accompany him while on law enforcement duty. Garry was also a professional meat cutter throughout Nebraska and Kansas. He was a DJ for KFNF radio in Oberlin, establishing the "County Classics" program. He enjoyed working with his service dogs, collecting and repairing clocks and photography. He retired at the age of 44 due to major health problems.

He married Gloria McConnell in McCook. To this union two children were born, Sonya and Michael. He later married Sandra Bebb Taylor in 1988. They resided in Norton and Oberlin, before moving to Hill City in 1990.

He was predeceded in death by his grandparents; parents, Dane and Roxie Tuller; sister-in-law, Kathy Tuller; niece, Tisha; and uncle, Don Heller. 

He is survived by his wife, Sandra of the home; children, Sonya (Greg) Peatrowsky, Pender, Nebraska, Michael, Eden Prairie, Minnesota; stepchildren, Angela Coomes, Philipsburg, Kansas, Courtney Taylor, Olathe, Kansas; grandchildren, Andrew (Lindsey), Pender, Nebraska, Katelynn Peatrowsky, Norfolk, Nebraska, Davin and Ezra Tuller, Eden Prairie, Minnesota; step-grandchildren, Mariah Coomes, Lawrence, Kansas, Mark and Kirk Coomes, Phillipsburg, Kansas; great-grandson, Drew Peatrowsky, Pender, Nebraska; sibling, Larry (twin), Culbertson, Nebraska, Raymond (Patt), McCook, Diana Kudera, McCook; aunt, Judy Heller, Lincoln, Nebraska; brothers-in-law, Bruce (Joyce) Hays, Joplin, Missouri, Mark (Jeannine) Hays, Kansas City, Kansas, John (Georgia) Kelly, Beaverton, Oregon; sister-in-law, Nancy Hays, Phoenix, Arizona; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and his service dog, Little Bit. 

Cremation has been chosen with graveside services at a later date. Cards and memorials may be sent to the home at 500 S. West Street, Hill City, KS 67642.