Gary Eugene Hartegan was born January 27,1946 at Providence Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas to George Edward Hartegan of Montgomery City, MO and Doris Anna Marie Hartegan (Rockers) of Scipio, KS.

With his older brother Edward Leo Hartegan, seven years his senior, Gary resided in the Argentine area of Kansas City, KS until the Great Flood of 1951. Their house was flooded and their possessions washed down the river. The family moved to a new house in Shawnee, KS.  St. Joseph Catholic Grade School did not offer kindergarten in 1951, so Gary was enrolled in the first grade.  Later he attended St. Joseph Catholic High School, where he lettered two years in basketball and track, and graduated in 1963.

After high school, Gary attended Donnelly College in Kansas City, KS while working odd jobs. Gary began attending Rockhurst College in Kansas City, MO in 1965. Gary began employment at the United States Department of Agriculture through a work study program with Rockhurst College. After graduating from Rockhurst College in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Gary began full time employment with the USDA as a systems administrator where he remained until he retired in 2001.

In the summer of 1967, Gary met Carol Ann Thorson of Hay Springs, NE, while showing apartments in Shawnee.  They were engaged in the summer of 1969, and married on June 13, 1970 in her hometown of Hay Springs, NE.   In 1972, Gary designed their current home in Lenexa, which was constructed that same year.

Their first child, Greg, was born in 1973. Mark was born the following year in 1974. Their youngest, Scott was born in 1977. Gary loved his boys and enjoyed spending time with them as he passed along his passion for hobbies and sports. 

Gary’s son Mark married Janelle McKernan in 1996.  Mark and Janelle have 3 children (Gary’s grandchildren): Erin (20) Jared (18), and Andrew (15).

One of Gary’s favorite hobbies was golf.  He began playing golf in his 20s and golfed up until his cancer diagnosis in late 2019. After he retired in 2001, he became a member at the Shawnee Golf and Country Club, and played golf 2-3 times per week.  In the first few years after his retirement, Gary had a 6 handicap. If there was a golf tournament on TV, you could bet that Gary was watching it!

Gary was never afraid to tackle home repair and home remodeling projects. Not having the money to furnish their house with store bought items, Gary taught himself woodworking.  From his wood shop in the garage Gary built many items for the house including a pool table, hutches, dressers, and clocks.  He absolutely loved helping friends, family, and neighbors with home improvement projects. With one phone call to Gary, he would show up with a trunkful of tools ready to save the day! 

Gary enjoyed working on cars.  His first major car project was building a Sterling kit car with his brother Ed.  His first car restoration project was a 1960 Porsche 356B that he found in a barn while hunting in western Kansas.  He also restored a 1952 Chevy pickup truck that came from Carol’s home in Nebraska. 

Another retirement hobby of Gary was watching his 3 grandchildren grow up.  He attended with joy many music concerts, sporting events and religious celebrations.  He was a fierce fan of his boys and his grandchildren.

As a true Kansas Citian, Gary liked cooking and eating barbeque.  He competed in the Great Lenexa Barbeque Battle on multiple occasions, and took home a few ribbons. He even built a barbeque smoker that looked like a train locomotive!

Gary never passed up an opportunity to share stories with his friends and family.  Everyone who knew him remembers how his face would light up anytime he told his tales of conquest! Gary loved Carol and together they traveled many places. They celebrated 50 years of marriage on June 13, 2020. 

Gary passed away on Father’s Day, June 21, 2020 at his home with his wife and 2 sons by his side after a hard fought battle with both  leukemia and lung cancer. Gary is survived by his wife Carol; his sons Greg, Mark, and Scott; his daughter-in-law Janelle, his grandchildren Erin, Jared, and Andrew; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

Gary was an amazing man full of warmth, laughter, joy and generosity.  He lived life to the fullest, filled his time with family, friends and hobbies.  He will be greatly missed by many. 

The Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 24th from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM with a Rosary at 6:30 PM at Porter Funeral Homes, 8535 Monrovia Street, Lenexa, KS 66215. Masks will be required.  All guests are asked to practice social distancing. 

The Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, June 25th at 10:30 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church located at 13615 W. 92nd Street, Lenexa, KS 66215.  Masks will be required. If you will be receiving Holy Communion, hand sanitizer is also required. 

The Committal Service will immediately follow Mass at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 8300 Quivira Rd, Lenexa, KS 66215. Guests are expected to practice social distancing. 

Memorials in Gary’s name may be made to:

Catholic Community Hospice

(Part of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas)

catholiccharitiesks.org

Olathe Pregnancy Clinic

1313 E. Santa Fe

Olathe, KS  66061

wyandottepregnancyclinic.org