Gary Gene Gorline

Gary Gene Gorline, born on March 28, 1944, passed away on February 11, 2026. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, colleague and friend whose legacy will be cherished by many.

Gary is survived by his beloved wife, Lynda Ruth Gorline; their two sons, Timothy (Lisa) Gorline and Jeremy (Gretchen) Gorline; and their daughter, Rebekah (Craig) Gorline-Singleman. He was a proud grandfather to eight grandchildren: Thomas Gorline, Isaac Gorline-Singleman, Andrew Gorline, Olivia Gorline, Acacia Gorline-Singleman, Alec Gorline-Singleman, Aaron Gorline and Audrey Gorline; Betty Gorline, his stepmother, and his siblings, Ed, Denny, and Sharon, along with many other family members and friends who will remember him fondly.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Spencer Gorline, and mother, Mary Helen Obermark, his siblings, Spencer, Frank, Karen, and Tee "Gail."

He was a Physical Education teacher for 30 years, first at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School in Wichita, Kansas (1968-1970), and then in the Hamburg (New York) Public School District (1970-1999). For many of those years, he passionately coached high school track and cross-country teams. His academic achievements were noteworthy; he earned both a Master of Education degree (February 1, 1975) and a Doctor of Education degree (September 1, 1988) from the State University of New York in Buffalo. Upon retiring from teaching, he embarked on a nursing career. He earned his Bachelor of Science Nursing (June 1) and Registered Professional Nurse degrees (August 24) in 2006 from the State University of New York in Buffalo, completed Parish Nurse training in 2009 from Trocaire College, before retiring in 2011.

Gary held strong ties to his faith, having been baptized on February 10, 1952, and confirmed on May 25, 1958, at Our Redeemer Lutheran, Greenville, Illinois. He was an active member and served at various levels and in many capacities within the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). Additionally, he was a member and past president of PDK South, a professional education fraternity, and more recently an enthusiastic member of the St. Charles, Fernando De Leyba Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Throughout his life, Gary was deeply engaged in various passions and pursuits. He was an avid fisherman as a charter member of the North American Fishing Club, and his athletic spirit shone brightly in his high school and college years through his love of basketball and baseball. Gary was an accomplished and active runner competing in several marathons and also a decathlete, showcasing both his dedication and his active spirit. His commitment to sports extended beyond his own participation; he served as a track and field official at various levels. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, and a long-time fan of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. He could intelligently converse with anyone concerning just about every sport. Travelling was another joy for Gary, whether locally or abroad. He particularly cherished his time visiting his daughter Rebekah and her family in Australia. Gary was also an avid gardener, winemaker, and birdwatcher, and he enjoyed hiking through the woods.

Gary Gene Gorline leaves behind a rich tapestry of memories, a testament to a life well-lived, filled with love, dedication, and passion for family, friends, and community. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Visitation and Services are at Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church in St. Peters, Missouri. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM and continue until the funeral service at 11:00 AM on February 27, 2026.

The livestream will be streamed at the scheduled service time using the link below.

Memorial gifts can be sent to Lutheran Hour Ministries or Child of God Lutheran Church & School.