Gary Estrella

Late in the evening with Marcia at his side, Gary took up permanent residency with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The excruciating pain he had endured for so long from his cancer (lymphoma) as he fought the good fight to overcome is no more and his family takes great comfort that he is now pain free; we will miss our patriarch but know we will see him again. Of Portuguese descent, Gary was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. After his parents, Manuel and Elizabeth Estrella, welcomed Gary's brother Skip, they moved to California and settled in Concord where he attended Meadow Homes Elementary, Loma Vista Intermediate, and Mt. Diablo High (Class of 1963). He furthered his education at Diablo Valley College before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1966. His Boot Camp Graduation recognized him as Platoon Honor Man, Series Honor Man, and recipient of the American Spirit Honor Medal. After attending Communications School in the Corps, his Radio Operator MOS took him to Vietnam where he was wounded in 1967, just 33 days in country. He was awarded the Purple Heart. Returning to the States, he and Marcia were married in December 1967 and in 1972 resided in Danville. Gary completed a Bachelors Degree, an MBA, and a Certified Purchasing Manager credential. Putting his educational skills to work, he became employed in Purchasing for a variety of industries from food to medical to tech to public transit during the course of his career. Upon his retirement from AC Transit in 2010, Gary obtained a Floor Covering Contractors License and continued a part-time carpet repair service, a skill he learned from his father-in-law and which soon became a passion he pursued and so enjoyed for over 40 years. Gary's many affiliations included the Boy Scouts as Scoutmaster of Troop 803 and Unit Commissioner, receiving many awards including his Woodbadge Beads and the District Award of Merit. He was a Plank Member of Marine Corps League Detachment #942 serving as Chaplain, Commandant and Paymaster/Adjutant over the years. An early member of the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley, he held positions of Treasurer and President. Other veteran memberships included the Devil Dogs, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Naval Order of the United States, and Military Order of the Purple Heart. His Docent duties at the Danville Veterans Memorial Building gave him the opportunity to share and educate visitors about military history. He served a term as Parks and Leisure Services Commissioner for the Town of Danville. Always involved in his children's activities, he coached soccer and became a certified FIFA referee. After much studying, he received a Ham Radio License. Gary served his church wherever needed including Sunday School teacher, usher, lector, and Lay Eucharistic Minister. Over the years he enjoyed woodcarving, golfing, fishing, camping, scuba diving, RV traveling and visiting historical sites. Vacationing in Hawaii was always a favorite. Gary is survived by his wife Marcia (Hager), son and daughter-in-law Christopher and Laura Estrella, daughter and son-in-law Deborah and Michael Davis, and five grandchildren: Caedmyn Quinn Davis, Cassidy Reagan Estrella, Mackenzie Grace Estrella, Broden Zane Davis and Nicholas Todd Davis. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Sharyn in 1962, his brother Skip in 2016, and his oldest son Todd Robert Estrella in 2008. The Lord truly blessed Gary with an abundant life and many talents paramount of which was a love of learning and serving. Gary took those God-given talents and shared them with others. He learned all he could so he could instill that knowledge and skills in others. And, he served (Semper Servientes) with love in his heart to his parents, his wife, his children, his extended family, his friends and neighbors, his community, his employers, his fellow veterans, his beloved Corps (Semper Fidelis), his country, his Boy Scouts, his customers, and his church. He kept the faith. Our family firmly believes Gary's Lord and Master was pleased with the way he used these talents and we can hear our Lord saying to him right now, "Well done, good and faithful servant...come and share your Master's happiness." Matthew 25:21 Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Service at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2305 Camino Tassajara, Danville, on Monday, June 21, 2021, with Military Honors beginning promptly at 10:00 a.m. Private inurnment to follow at a later date at Alamo Cemetery in Danville. Memorial Gifts may be made to The American Cancer Society, a favorite veterans organization, or Messiah Lutheran Church.