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The Memorial Service will begin at 1:00 p.m.
Presbyterian Church Of The Master
26051 Marguerite Pkwy.
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Childcare will be provided for any small children during the service.
Parking is limited; however there is plenty of parking across the street in the Pavilion shopping center. We ask that you please be respectful of business owners and do not park directly in front of their doors.
Due to time constraints at the church pre-school, the Sallee family will be unable to talk with you before or after the memorial service. The family looks forward to seeing and speaking with everyone at the reception following the service located at the Tijeras Creek Golf Club.
Reception
Tijeras Creek Golf Club
29082 Tijeras Creek
Rancho Santa Margarita
Tel: 949-589-9793
Sallee Family Donations
For anyone wanting to make a donation to the Sallee family, please send it to the following address:
Mountain View Church
P.O. Box 2058
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Checks should be made payable to "Mountain View" referencing the "Sallee Family Fund" to ensure donations will be applied directly to the family.
The Sallee family would like to extend their warmest thanks to everyone for helping them through this most difficult time.
Michele Merk
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Reality
Less than 24 hours ago Gary died. My husband is dead. The boys father is dead. I can hardly believe it. Somehow it does not seem real. Is he really gone I ask myself. My heart races when I really think about it.
For 14 years we lived our lives together. Inseparable. In one breath all of that has changed. I know it is wonderful for Gary that he is out of pain and with the Lord but it is not wonderful for me or for the boys or probably for you.
I do not feel relief with his passing. I miss him – plain and simple. Tremendous pain in my soul consumes me. I am lying in our bed for the first time in 7 months and I am lonely. Empty. I don’t think I can sleep here. It hurts too much.
I didn’t have enough time with Gary. I am too young to be a widow with 3 small children. Life is hard enough when you have a partner to go through it with.
I know it sounds like I am whining but I don’t care. I am being honest and this is my reality right now.
Has my faith been shaken? Absolutely not. Am I mad? No way. Do I question God as to why he did not step in and save Gary’s life? No.
It’s just plain sadness. The boys are so sad too. We sat in their room tonight as we said prayers and they fired questions at me about Gary? Mom, they asked, what was Dad’s favorite food? Favorite restaurant? Color? Sport? Movie? So many more questions. They miss their Daddy so much and I know it is going to get worse before it gets better.
I have a few favors for everyone. First, I hope you can all make it to the memorial and to the reception at Tijeras Creek. I want the boys to see how many people care about their Dad and about them. I only have one chance to do this part and get it right.
Next, I understand how hard it is to know what to say to us. There is nothing to say other than you are sorry for our loss. We know he is not suffering and he is in a better place but that does not help us or change our sadness level. I do not want the boys to think that they are now the little men of the house or that they need to step up and help out more. Gary and I want them to be our kids just like they always have been. Please just tell them that you are sorry that their Dad died.
Last but not least please continue to pray for us. We will need loads of prayers in the weeks, months and years to come. I will keep blogging as long as people want to keep reading,
I probably need to go now and finish writing the program for the Memorial. I am getting the flowers tomorrow and then I am going to go to the church to figure out some things for the service. I need to get my hair done and I also need to put the picture frame together. I need to get a guest book and copy off the article about Gary from our USC visits.
Thank you to close friends who just show up with food and fellowship. We all need distraction right now.
My heart is still racing. The thought of sleeping alone for the first time is frightening.
Zach and I went to Bette’s funeral today. It was truly beautiful. Out to sea on one of the most phenomenal days.
The day before Bette died I wheeled Gary over to her house and he sat by her bedside. He told her that she beat him to it but he would soon be there with her. He tenderly blew her a kiss and we went home.
8 days later Gary would breathe his last breath and he would join Bette. Watching him take that last breath was so painful for me. Beyond painful. No wonder my heart is racing. I keep coming back to the fact that he is gone.
Rest assured we will be okay with time. God is with us and he will never leave. He will provide us with guidance and surround us with support and love just as he always has. I guess we just need some patience for peace.
Thee obituary will be in the register on Tuesday.
I hope you all come to the Memorial as we remember our Gary.
With sadness,love, and hope for the future,
Lisa
For 14 years we lived our lives together. Inseparable. In one breath all of that has changed. I know it is wonderful for Gary that he is out of pain and with the Lord but it is not wonderful for me or for the boys or probably for you.
I do not feel relief with his passing. I miss him – plain and simple. Tremendous pain in my soul consumes me. I am lying in our bed for the first time in 7 months and I am lonely. Empty. I don’t think I can sleep here. It hurts too much.
I didn’t have enough time with Gary. I am too young to be a widow with 3 small children. Life is hard enough when you have a partner to go through it with.
I know it sounds like I am whining but I don’t care. I am being honest and this is my reality right now.
Has my faith been shaken? Absolutely not. Am I mad? No way. Do I question God as to why he did not step in and save Gary’s life? No.
It’s just plain sadness. The boys are so sad too. We sat in their room tonight as we said prayers and they fired questions at me about Gary? Mom, they asked, what was Dad’s favorite food? Favorite restaurant? Color? Sport? Movie? So many more questions. They miss their Daddy so much and I know it is going to get worse before it gets better.
I have a few favors for everyone. First, I hope you can all make it to the memorial and to the reception at Tijeras Creek. I want the boys to see how many people care about their Dad and about them. I only have one chance to do this part and get it right.
Next, I understand how hard it is to know what to say to us. There is nothing to say other than you are sorry for our loss. We know he is not suffering and he is in a better place but that does not help us or change our sadness level. I do not want the boys to think that they are now the little men of the house or that they need to step up and help out more. Gary and I want them to be our kids just like they always have been. Please just tell them that you are sorry that their Dad died.
Last but not least please continue to pray for us. We will need loads of prayers in the weeks, months and years to come. I will keep blogging as long as people want to keep reading,
I probably need to go now and finish writing the program for the Memorial. I am getting the flowers tomorrow and then I am going to go to the church to figure out some things for the service. I need to get my hair done and I also need to put the picture frame together. I need to get a guest book and copy off the article about Gary from our USC visits.
Thank you to close friends who just show up with food and fellowship. We all need distraction right now.
My heart is still racing. The thought of sleeping alone for the first time is frightening.
Zach and I went to Bette’s funeral today. It was truly beautiful. Out to sea on one of the most phenomenal days.
The day before Bette died I wheeled Gary over to her house and he sat by her bedside. He told her that she beat him to it but he would soon be there with her. He tenderly blew her a kiss and we went home.
8 days later Gary would breathe his last breath and he would join Bette. Watching him take that last breath was so painful for me. Beyond painful. No wonder my heart is racing. I keep coming back to the fact that he is gone.
Rest assured we will be okay with time. God is with us and he will never leave. He will provide us with guidance and surround us with support and love just as he always has. I guess we just need some patience for peace.
Thee obituary will be in the register on Tuesday.
I hope you all come to the Memorial as we remember our Gary.
With sadness,love, and hope for the future,
Lisa
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Obituary
This is the obituary that will go into the newspaper sometime this weekend or the beginning of next week.
GARY K. SALLEE
November 9, 1965 - January 10, 2009
Gary Sallee, 43, died January 10, 2009 at his home in Laguna Niguel, after a long and brave battle with cancer.
Gary was born on November 9, 1965 in St. Charles, Missouri. He was the youngest of five children and moved to California at the age of 9.
Gary was a devoted husband and amazing father. Lisa and Gary married in 1996 and their three boys soon followed. Gary was incredibly loved by family and friends in his community. He worked hard and was loyal and committed.
Gary never complained, was completely selfless and was an inspiration to many as he moved through his illness with grace and perseverance. Gary was a strong Christian and stood firm in his faith and belief that Jesus Christ died on the cross so that now he could go to be with Him in heaven for eternity.
Gary is survived by his wife, Lisa, three sons, Zachary, Nathan, Jax, and his faithful companion, Hobie. He is further survived by his parents, siblings, other relatives and countless friends.
His memorial service will be held Wednesday, January 14 at 1:00 PM at Presbyterian Church of The Master.
The reception will follow at Tijeras Creek Golf Club.
His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Mountain View Church in Mission Viejo. All donations received will be placed in a fund that has been established for the Sallee Family.
We would like to thank our family and friends for taking such wonderful care of our family during this long battle. You are all so loved and cherished.
GARY K. SALLEE
November 9, 1965 - January 10, 2009
Gary Sallee, 43, died January 10, 2009 at his home in Laguna Niguel, after a long and brave battle with cancer.
Gary was born on November 9, 1965 in St. Charles, Missouri. He was the youngest of five children and moved to California at the age of 9.
Gary was a devoted husband and amazing father. Lisa and Gary married in 1996 and their three boys soon followed. Gary was incredibly loved by family and friends in his community. He worked hard and was loyal and committed.
Gary never complained, was completely selfless and was an inspiration to many as he moved through his illness with grace and perseverance. Gary was a strong Christian and stood firm in his faith and belief that Jesus Christ died on the cross so that now he could go to be with Him in heaven for eternity.
Gary is survived by his wife, Lisa, three sons, Zachary, Nathan, Jax, and his faithful companion, Hobie. He is further survived by his parents, siblings, other relatives and countless friends.
His memorial service will be held Wednesday, January 14 at 1:00 PM at Presbyterian Church of The Master.
The reception will follow at Tijeras Creek Golf Club.
His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Mountain View Church in Mission Viejo. All donations received will be placed in a fund that has been established for the Sallee Family.
We would like to thank our family and friends for taking such wonderful care of our family during this long battle. You are all so loved and cherished.
With Great Sadness
It is with overwhelming sadness that I tell you that Gary died at 2:31 this morning (Saturday).
The kids were all in bed with him and we embraced him as he took his last breath.
Words cannot begin to tell you how sad we are.
Please keep us in your prayers and we will give you an update when I am emotionally ready to.
GARYS MEMORIAL
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Presbyterian Church of the Master (corner of Oso/Marguerite)
1:00 PM
We are asking you to all join us. The kids would love to have all of your children there as well. The boys need to be surrounded by their friends.
The kids were all in bed with him and we embraced him as he took his last breath.
Words cannot begin to tell you how sad we are.
Please keep us in your prayers and we will give you an update when I am emotionally ready to.
GARYS MEMORIAL
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Presbyterian Church of the Master (corner of Oso/Marguerite)
1:00 PM
We are asking you to all join us. The kids would love to have all of your children there as well. The boys need to be surrounded by their friends.
Friday, January 9, 2009
What a fighter
Good Morning.
I wanted you to know that Gary is still with us. He has not woken up but is still breathing.
He is finally peaceful after a long ordeal early yesterday evening.
He sounds as if he is under water. His breathing has slowed but his pulse if good and he looks so peaceful and comfy.
He is warm and toasty and in the best of circumstances I would have punched him by now for the INSANELY LOUD AND REALLY LOUD SNORING he is doing. However, I have compassion despite what you might think and I will let him get away with it this last time.
I just want you all to be praying for peace for Gary. Pray for him as he gets ready to enter The Kingdom and be in the presence of Our Creator. He has fought the good fight and we are so proud of his valiant effort and tremendous bravery.
Just pray that love and light and peace fills our home today.
Pray for the boys. They have spent a lot of time at his bedside and they are simply inspiring.
I will keep you posted.
Love,
L
I wanted you to know that Gary is still with us. He has not woken up but is still breathing.
He is finally peaceful after a long ordeal early yesterday evening.
He sounds as if he is under water. His breathing has slowed but his pulse if good and he looks so peaceful and comfy.
He is warm and toasty and in the best of circumstances I would have punched him by now for the INSANELY LOUD AND REALLY LOUD SNORING he is doing. However, I have compassion despite what you might think and I will let him get away with it this last time.
I just want you all to be praying for peace for Gary. Pray for him as he gets ready to enter The Kingdom and be in the presence of Our Creator. He has fought the good fight and we are so proud of his valiant effort and tremendous bravery.
Just pray that love and light and peace fills our home today.
Pray for the boys. They have spent a lot of time at his bedside and they are simply inspiring.
I will keep you posted.
Love,
L
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Please No Visits Tonight!
During this time we are asking that our home remain peaceful and silent and ask that all visits remain on hold until I contact you personally. Please respect our wishes and we thank you for your understanding and love always for our family.
As you know, this is a hard time for our family, but Gary is no longer coherent and our family needs this time to be alone with him.
Please stay posted for updates, and pray for our family.
As you know, this is a hard time for our family, but Gary is no longer coherent and our family needs this time to be alone with him.
Please stay posted for updates, and pray for our family.
ABUSE
Just a quick sidenote.
It's official. Gary actually punched me in the stomach!
We woke up this morning around 5:00 and I was listening to Gary breathe. His throat muscles are not working as well and so secretions build up. It sounds like a gurgle when he is breathing and I needed to give him some medications to help with that.
I leaned over and he was hallucinating and he actually gave me his best shot! He realized what he did and then told me that he was just trying move something. He felt so bad. Poor guy.
I am sure many of you have wanted to give me your best shot so I think we
can consider it done! Gary represented all of you well!!!
Have a good morning.
Love, L
It's official. Gary actually punched me in the stomach!
We woke up this morning around 5:00 and I was listening to Gary breathe. His throat muscles are not working as well and so secretions build up. It sounds like a gurgle when he is breathing and I needed to give him some medications to help with that.
I leaned over and he was hallucinating and he actually gave me his best shot! He realized what he did and then told me that he was just trying move something. He felt so bad. Poor guy.
I am sure many of you have wanted to give me your best shot so I think we
can consider it done! Gary represented all of you well!!!
Have a good morning.
Love, L
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