Oct. 6, 1947 — Jan. 24, 2014

Gary was born on Oct. 6, 1947 in Coldwater, Mich., the son of Lawrence Jr. and Iva Mae (Ferguson) Knapp Jr. He was united in marriage to Rosemary Krysinski. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy.

Gary worked at Ameriwood, UTA, and National Copper where he retired when they closed. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and giving his grandchildren tractor rides while hunting for golf balls.

His surviving family includes his wife Rosemary; his daughter, Joann (John) Barhydt of Ilion, NY; his two sons, Gary “Gator” Lawrence Knapp Jr. of Dowagiac, and Matthew Ryan Knapp of Kansas City, Kan.; his grandchildren, Zane McPhail, Jordan Knapp, Austyn Jackson, Ronni Beebe, Conner East, Josh LaRock, Marc Tyrakowski, Katelynn Dazell, Justin White, Jordan White, Victoria Thomas, Lillian Slater, Earl Baker III, John F. Barhydt, and David Barhydt; his one great grandson Wyatt White; his brothers, Mike and Scott of Niles; his sisters, Wendy Knapp of La Fayette, Ga. and Chris Kimbrul of Jonesboro, Ark.; and his one nephew and one niece.

Gary passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, surrounded by family members at his residence. He was preceded by his parents and a brother Larry.

His family will have a private gathering at a later date. He has been entrusted to Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, Mich. and to Cremation Services of Southwest Michigan. Please take the opportunity to sign his guestbook and leave a memory of Gary at www.clarkch.com.