Garry Boston

Garry Boston

1936 - 2016

Obituary

Garry Boston died Friday (Sept. 9, 2016) at St. Francis Hospital/Harry Hynes Hospice Unit. He was born on Oct. 1, 1936, in Topeka. He grew up in Mankato and graduated from Mankato High School in 1954.

He was very active in sports in high school and attended Emporia State, playing football, prior to volunteering for the draft in October 1955. When he was discharged from the service he attended El Dorado Junior College.

He married Jeanette Fox on Aug. 16, 1958, in El Dorado, who survives of the home. Boston is also survived by five children: Michael (Sue), Mickey Stump (Vern), Mark (Elyse), Chris Wedel (Travis) and Marcia Mathews (Bud), all of Newton; brother Douglas (Kay) Brush of Downs; sisters Dawn (Jerry) Merker of College Station, Texas, and Sherry Brush of Niagara, New York; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Garry and Jeanette formed Boston Insurance in 1970. Garry was elected to the Kansas Legislature in 1990, representing the 72nd District, and served for six terms. He served as chairman of the Federal and State Affairs and Health and Human Services committees. He also served on the Casino Gaming Committee for the State of Kansas. He also served on the boards of many community service programs, including the Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, the Newton area Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, Habitat for Humanity, St. Mary's School Board, Salvation Army and CASA.

Garry loved sports and his children and grandchildren. When he was not playing, he was coaching his children and grandchildren's sporting events. His love of sports led to him being one of the founding members of the Newton High School Booster Club.

Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 13, 2016) at Petersen Funeral Home, with Rosary to follow at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Newton. The funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday (Sept. 14, 2016) at St. Mary's Church in Newton, with burial following at St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's School, Newton.