Gary Link

1941-2021

Posted

Gary Ancil Link, 80, Owensville, passed away Tuesday, May 12, at Mercy Hospital in Washington. Gary had been a resident of the Gasconade Manor Nursing Home since 2011.

Gary Ancil Link, son of Ancil and Melba (Boyer) Link, was born Feb. 9, 1941 in St. Louis. He was raised in Poplar Bluff and graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1960.

Gary and Linda Lou Walker were united in marriage, April 13, 1963, in Freeburg, Ill. They enjoyed 49 years together. They are the parents of Jackie Gray of Owensville, Chris Link of Neosho, Tim Link and wife Sue of Hawk Point and Mike Link and wife Lauri of Gerald.

Gary was a member of the Carpenters Council of Greater St. Louis. With the Carpenters Union, he built missile silos, worked on the pipeline and was the house carpenter at the St. Louis Checker Dome, former home of the St. Louis Blues. Gary served as the building trades instructor at St. Clair High School in the mid-80s, before becoming the long-time farm manager at Jackson Farms, for Kenneth Jackson in Owensville.

For over five decades, Gary was an avid horseman and just an “old cowboy.” He raised Appaloosa Horses, American Quarter Horses and working stock dogs. Gary spent many years running training stables for horses alongside his wife, Linda. Early in life, he traveled the Midwest showing and training horses for various breeders and was featured in the Western Horseman and the Appaloosa News Magazine.

Gary loved to tell stories about his travels. He was quite the musician and loved to play the harmonica and banjo. But mostly, Gary was a family man, when he wasn’t roping with his sons; he could be seen along the sidelines at ball games, livestock shows, school events and rodeos cheering his kids and grand-kids on.

Gary was the grandfather of nine: Matthew Gray, Kory (Kate) Hecht, Dusty Janish, Amanda (Darren) Limback, Melissa (Nick) Scego, Cheyenne (Mike) Bendell and Casey, Lane, and Cody Link. He was the great-grandfather of nine: Skyler Gray, Colton, Gemma and Jolie Hecht, Clayton and Jacob Scego, Oakley and Montgomery Limback and Kennedy Bendell. He is also survived by his brother, Joe (Sue) Link of Waterloo, Ill., and sister-in-law, Evelyn Link of Neosho; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Lou Link; parents, Ancil and Melba Link, and one brother, Dr. James Link.

Visitation will be Saturday, June 12, from 12-1 p.m. with a Celebration of Life service following at 1 p.m. at Gerald Legion Park in Gerald with Pastor Glenn Hollander officiating.

Arrangements entrusted to Gottenstroeter Funeral Home, Owensville.