Gary David Mendenhall

Gary David Mendenhall, Sr. of St. James, MO passed away Friday, September 3, 2021, at the age of 62 years.

Gary, the son of the late Willard J. Mendenhall and Margaret M. Lynch, was born December 11, 1958, in Salem, MO.  He was united in marriage to Terri Doralea Ipock on January 28, 1977, in Summersville, MO, they were blessed with two sons and 45 wonderful years together.  

He is survived by his wife, Terri of St. James; two sons:  Gary David Mendenhall, Jr. and wife, Tonia of St. James and Cary Daniel Mendenhall and wife, Erin of St. James; brother, Lindell Mendenhall, and wife, Sandra of Rolla, MO; sister, Janet Estes of House Springs, MO, sister-in-law Teresa Acord and husband Jim of Eminence, MO. and four grandchildren:  Ashlee, Dalton, Cash and Blaine, six nephews and three nieces, many great-nieces and nephews that he loved dearly, as well as several friends he considered as family and bonus children he considered his own. 

Gary loved the Lord with all of his heart, he was a wonderful Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, and Friend. Gary loved watching his grandchildren play sports, especially baseball and he helped coach his sons’ and grandson's sports teams throughout the years.  He was a huge Cardinals fan and loved watching the redbirds. Gary enjoyed being in the outdoors hunting and fishing. He often said there is something so amazing seeing the woods wake up in the mornings at daylight, and he felt so close to the Lord when he was there. Gary loved to sing and was blessed with a gift of a beautiful voice. Bluegrass, Gospel, and Country music were his favorites to play and sing with his guitar. In his career years, he worked for Reliable Life Insurance and Harvey’s of Alley Springs, and Angelica Uniform Co.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Earl Mendenhall and Roger Mendenhall and his father and mother-in-law, Virgil and Nellie Ipock. 

Gary will lie in state 6-8 PM Monday, September 6, 2021, at Jones Funeral Home in St. James.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at Jones Funeral Home in St. James with Rev. Charles Younger officiating.  Pallbearers will be Art Padgett, Gary McDowell, Randy Gardener, Cary Mendenhall, Dalton Mendenhall, Brad Nelson, and Keith Rader.  Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Huff, George Pounds, Tom Grogan, Adam Padgett, Jimmy Dale Arthur, Cash Mendenhall, and Blaine Mendenhall.  Interment will be in the Asher Cemetery, St. James, Mo. 

Memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital.

All arrangements are under the direction of Jones Funeral Home in St. James.

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