Gary Sides

Gary Gene Sides, 68, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Oct. 5, 1943, in Cape Girardeau, to Charles "Jr." and Eva Louise Stanley Sides. He and Brenda Lunsford were married April 3, 1970.

Gary was an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from Jan. 26, 1967, to Jan. 24, 1969. He served 13 months in Vietnam. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, two Overseas Bars, Sharpshooter (M-14), 1st Class Gunner (M60), Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device.

He worked 12 years at the former Lenco and 23 years at the former LeeRowan (now Rubbermaid), both in Jackson.

Gary lived for and through his grandchildren. He especially enjoyed shopping with his granddaughter and hunting and fishing with his grandsons.

He was a lifetime member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson, a lifetime member of DAV, and was of the Baptist belief.

He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Brenda of Jackson; a son, Scott Sides of Jackson; a granddaughter, Brittany Sides and her mother, Carol Robertson of Jackson; two grandsons, Austin and Dustin Sides and their mother, Shelly Berghoff of Delta; and two stepgrandchildren, Jesse and Amanda.

Also surviving are four brothers, Lynn (Anita) Sides, Terry (Cheryl) Sides, Marcus (Edonna) Sides, all of Jackson, David (Cindy) Sides of Burleson, Texas; four sisters, Donna (Leon) Aufdenberg of Burfordville, Geta (Steve) Parker and Gaye Smith of Jackson, Nina (George) Dickerson of Millersville; mother-in-law, Geraldine Lunsford-Laramore; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; nieces; nephews; great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Brian Lee "Snoop" Sides; an infant son, Ivan Charles Sides; his parents; a brother, Stephen "Chub" Sides; a nephew; a niece; and a great-stepniece.

Friends may call from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Revs. John Rhodes and Janet Hopkins officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Fruitland.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.