Gary Louis Stearns

Gary Louis Stearns of St. James passed away Thursday, December 29, 2022 in Vichy, MO. He was 71 years of age.

Gary, the son of the late Louis Elmer and Helen Virginia Smith Stearns, was born May 28, 1951 in St. Louis, MO.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Fanny Stearns who entered into rest April 3, 2014 and his parents.

He is survived by his family: son, Elliot Stearns of Farmington, MO;  daughters: Lola Stearns of Bland, MO, Ingrid Stearns of Owensville, MO and Holly Stearns of Rolla, MO; and grandchildren: Sidney Kozlowski (Marco Siljanovic) of Rolla, MO, Ivy Rae Stearns of Rolla, MO, Elliot Stearns of Owensville, MO, Erin, Bodhi, and Clarity Barnhart of Owensville, MO.; and dear companion Kelley Kearns of Owensville, MO.

Gary graduated from Our Redeemer Lutheran High School. Later, he attended UMSL University; he earned degrees in art history and journalism. He started painting when he was 17 years of age, and he continued his painting business for 54 years. He was very skilled as a painter, and he was highly sought after for his craft in our community. He loved music, concerts, trucks, and rat rods. Staying physically fit was very important to him; he enjoyed walking the trails and being in nature. He thoroughly enjoyed participating in the cold water challenge, the polar plunge. He collected many pairs of sunglasses; his collection had a unique home- his pickup’s dashboard. Family was very important to him, and he enjoyed time spent with them. For many years, he was a volunteer for various organizations and programs.

Visitation for Gary Stearns will be 10:00 AM on January 12th, 2023.

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