Gary Wayne Brandes, 78, of Jackson passed away Saturday, April 23, 2022, at his home.

He was born Feb, 25, 1944, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Walter "Cleve" and Irene Kassel Brandes. Gary married Geneva Weber Nov. 29, 1975, at Uniontown, Missouri.

Gary was a graduate of Oak Ridge High School. He was a veteran of Vietnam, having served honorably in the U.S. Navy from Feb. 6, 1964, through Dec. 21, 1967.

After returning home from service, he worked as a manager at Shawneetown Feed and Seed and then started a career as a truck driver, having driven for Roy Pohlman, Flickerwood Farms, Rollet Brothers Trucking and his last two years for the United States Postal Service. Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, bird watching, wildlife and playing with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was formerly an active leader for the 4-H Club, a member of the Disabled American Veterans in Cape Girardeau and the American Legion Post in Perryville, Missouri. He was a very faithful and dedicated member of the Lutheran faith.

Gary and Geneva were very instrumental in organizing and starting the North Cape Girardeau County Fire Department. He served as the department's first fire chief.

Loving survivors include his loving wife of 46 years, Geneva; four children, Terry (Pamela) Brandes of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Lisa (Richard) Winter of Pocahontas and Maxine Mize, both of Pocahontas; and Timothy Brandes of Perryville; nine grandchildren, Dustin, Brandon, Katie, Haily, Deven, Kristy, Kali, Nicholas and Cali; 13 great-grandchildren; and his brother, L.R. (Janet) Brandes.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial visitation and service will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 10 a.m. until time of service Saturday.

The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Roger Abernathy officiating, followed by full military honors. Private inurnment will be held at a later date at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Saxony Lutheran High School or the Southeast Cancer Center.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tributes tab of Gary's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.