Gary Dean Nuzum
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Gary Nuzum had a quiet departure from a rich life on Wednesday April 13, 2022. You can take the boy out of the country but the country never left this boy. Growing up in White Cloud, Kansas this farmer’s son had an adventurous colorful upbringing in the steep picturesque hills of the little river community where doors weren’t locked and a go-cart was free to enjoy the streets. Farming made him a student of the land and gave him a love of the outdoors which left him invested in yard care and loving his dog walks (and the dogs)
After gathering around radios and black and white televisions to follow the Jayhawks from the NE corner of the state he was excited to head to Lawrence following graduating from Highland High School. Gary was a proud Battenfield Scholarship Hall resident and one of students carrying hoses up the stairs of the union when it burned in 1970. After KU graduation Gary went to work as a seventh grade science teacher at Shawnee Heights where he and Mick Lowe became life-long friends after coaching boys basketball together. Gary was married to his high school sweetheart Sue and Corie and Paul came along keeping life bright as he set off into a long real estate career.
Gary relished his opportunities to sell, teach, and lead in the Lawrence Real Estate community. He was passionate about the opportunities real estate ownership created for people. His career flourished working at McGrew Real Estate where he considered everyone there “family. ”Gary married Pam in 1983 and they had fun years parenting four kids with a busy active community life.
He considered nothing more rewarding than teaching and leading new agents into real estate careers. For those who could get past, what some perceived as, an intense sternness, they found a profoundly kind and supportive mentor with undying patience and support to help them succeed. In 2003 Gary married Amy and shortly thereafter Kate, Gabe, and Dean came along to keep life interesting and fun.
Gary had a lively and unique character; He was either perceived as having genuine warm charisma OR being overly candid and intimidating. Gary loved people and lived with unwavering ethics about people being treated fairly and giving opportunities to minority groups who didn’t have equal opportunities (especially as a landlord). People who knew him well were amused by his characteristic large hand slap of a table when excited over poker, work, or anything else..and they can hear his voice holler along with it.
Gary leaves behind:
siblings Ed Nuzum, sister Becky Livengood, and younger brother Dave Nuzum (his close pal).
Children Corie Pritchard (and husband David), Paul Nuzum(and wife Angel Nuzum), Kate Nuzum, Gabe Nuzum, and Dean Nuzum.
Grandchildren Avery Nuzum, Camden Nuzum, and Emersyn Nuzum.
And Eduardo Davalos.
There will be a casual celebration of life service for Gary at Plymouth Congregational Church on Tuesday, April 19 at 11 AM.
In lieu of flowers we would encourage donations in memory of Gary to the Lawrence Humane Society or Operation Wildlife of Leavenworth County and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
My Condolences..
We were in Highland High School together and our older brothers were friends as well.
May The Lord give You Peace and Comfort abundantly at this time.
Blessings.
Sorry for your lossPrayers Knew Gary White Cloud
i kew him in school in highland kansas, he was always very kind person. his whole family was ver y much a part of this community and did a lot of activies. Gary will be missed by everyone that knew him. he was a home town brother that loved everybody, i am happy that he lived life so well and achieved his dreams.prayers for his family for comfort and peace. sharon twombly
So sorry to hear this . I always looked up to Gary as a really nice guy in high school . Our Dad’s were buddy’s growing up and farm neighbors . RIP .
Sorry for your loss.
Sally Cullerton.
I have known Gary most of my life and my family was friends with his here in White Cloud KS. He will be greatly missed prayers for his family and friends Linda I’ve y Langley
My deepest sympathies to the Nuzum family.
I was one of those Shawnee Heights Junior High boys who had the pleasure of knowing “Coach Nuzum” and “Coach Lowe” as our 9th grade basketball coaches. They were perfectly paired and quite a dynamic duo. Gary expected our best effort, but he knew and understood that junior high boys would all too often be, well, junior high boys. You always knew where you stood with Gary and he was a great encourager. The boys on the team thought he was a really “cool” guy and, as a mentor, the kind of man we would like to become. Gary was well-liked and respected by students and faculty alike.
Blessings,
Kyle
Gary was always good to all of “Bears” friends and took us to river several times to shoot. A kind man, I’m sure he will be missed.
Gary was a dear man that could point out your shortcomings all while lifting you up to overcome them. He led with an exterior toughness but he was a softy on the inside. He was passionate about what and who he loved. I was lucky enough to share the passion of real estate with him and I loved him for all that he was. He will be missed by many. A gentle giant and I am proud to have known him and worked for and with him for so many years. My deepest love to his family during your grief.
I knew Gary as the guy laughing and slapping the table, who was a integral part of our family growing up and always there for me when I needed. I will miss him and send my sympathy to his family.
Yes he was awesome. He was my jr high basketball coach who I admired. I remember stopping at a Resturant in Holton after a basketball game and I remember coach Nuzum singing at the table he was so happy. Don’t know why I think we lost that game. Lol. But he was an amazing person. RIP coach.
So sorry to hear of your loss. My mother, Thelma Chapman, worked with him for years and considered him a friend. She was very sad to hear the news. Prayers for the family and special hugs for Dave.
I was a classmate of Gary’s at White Cloud, Kansas. Graduated with him fromHighland High School. Gary was always a kind considerate friend. He will be missed by all. Dorothy Dale Rosenberger Steele
I knew Gary as the supportive (and always there for them) Dad to Corie and Paul, so I knew him as Mr. Nuzum. I remember him as a quiet and serious man with a dry sense of humor and a smile that lit up the room. My heart breaks for Corie and Paul as they say goodbye to their Dad. May he RIP.
Laura Wehe
Our family remembers the handsome guy Gary Nuzum. His parents Leonard and Kay were our good friends. Prayers to the family. Special condolences to his siblings Ed, Dave, and Becky. Watching them grow up in White Cloud brings back wonderful memories. Our love and prayers Johnny and Shirley Taylor.
Corie-
Saddened to see your father’s death.
Thinking of you Corie
Connie Daniels
Sorry for your loss, Gary and I always enjoyed playing basketball on his court built on top of the garage. Will miss him. Charles Waggoner.
I first met Gary when I interviewed with him to become his secretary at McGrew Real Estate. After 2 years as his secretary, I transitioned into an agent. Working for and with him was an enjoyable time. He was such a good mentor, telling you how to improve and then praising you for your accomplishments. He touched so many lives and will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family.
Thoughts and prayers to Gary’s family. I met with him just a few weeks ago and enjoyed our discussion about housing and state of the world. He was always kind, very intelligent and good hearted. He was a joy to work with and will be missed by all that knew him.
Trish Van Vliet-Banning