Gary F. Grollmus 74, of Crestview, Florida passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at West Florida Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. Gary was born on March 29, 1950, to Charles Arthur Grollmus and Fannie Jo Grollmus in Escambia County, Florida.
Gary was always adventurous, he hitch hiked across the United States right after graduating High School. A few years later, he started his career at the Division of Forestry in 1971. He met his future wife Liz Phillips, a few months later while she was working as an office clerk in the Forestry Summer Program. They later married in 1974 and had their daughter Carlee one year later.
While with the forestry department he trained as a food unit leader with the National Wildfire Coordinating group. He was dispatched as a food unit leader to various states for Wildfire & Disaster relief efforts. He retired from the Forestry after 38 years of service.
Gary loved birds, the forest & all things history related. He was an avid reader, with a large book collection, that rivaled his model car collection. In 2018 he gained the son in law he always wanted when his daughter Carlee married Joe Dull. Most of all, Gary loved his family and he will truly be missed.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Fannie Jo and Charles Grollmus and his sister, Gloria Minor.
Gary is survived by his wife, Liz Phillips Grollmus, his daughter, Carlee Dull (Joe) his sisters, Joy Powell, Ann Stevenson, Sue Shaffer and Robin Hanson.
You can share memories and offer condolences at brackneyfuneralservice.com
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is entrusted with arrangements.
Rogie Sasser
July 3, 2024, 9:18 pm
Liz and Carlee, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Carrie Harding
July 4, 2024, 12:23 pm
So sorry for your loss. He was an amazing man, me and Abbi always enjoyed our visits with him, he is definitely missed!! Sending lots of love and big hugs!!
Robin Hanson
July 6, 2024, 12:12 pm
Gary had a generous heart and a loyal spirit. We will miss him everyday.
Cathleen McNaughton
July 6, 2024, 3:49 pm
We will miss Gary very much. As a brother in law he was always so kind and respectful . God be with Liz and Carlee during their grief. We love so much and care about you.
Lyvon and Cathy McNaughton
Greg & Donna Cannon
July 7, 2024, 3:09 pm
Liz and Carlee, our prayers are with you both. We will always remember his smile and laugh at all family gatherings, especially Christmas eve. We love y’all.
Glory Godwin
July 7, 2024, 11:19 pm
Carlee prayers to you and ur mom sorry for loss !
Delmer Adams
July 8, 2024, 1:51 pm
Gary and I became friends and neighbors in the 1950’s and have remained good friends throughout the years. He was always laughing and smiling. I will miss him!
Sue Grollmus Hammett, Shaffer
July 8, 2024, 8:22 pm
We will miss you Gary
And will always love you. You were the only boy with 5 sisters we loved playing in the woods and riding our bicycles together. We loved visiting Grandmother Merritt in Baker, FL. And especially loved the family Reunions at Grandma’s house and at the Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church. We all especially loved the wonderful home baked food that everyone brought and ate. We had lots of cousins and played together at the Reunion’s. We attended The First Baptist Church of Crestview, Fl. Regularly growing up and we graduated from Crestview, FL. Most of us graduated from Florida State and some other nearby colleges. Gary loved his family and we loved him. Sue Grollmus Shaffer
Jim Reece
July 9, 2024, 12:46 pm
This was shared with the Crestview High School, Class of 68. Gary and I were drummers in the CHS band and friends in high school. After graduation we went down different paths, but reconnected in our roles with the Division of Forestry and Okaloosa County. Praying that God’s peace and comfort provides strength for all of the family as you say goodbye to Gary and cherish the memory of his life!
Kathy Diesner
July 10, 2024, 1:33 am
To the Grollmus family,
I was saddened to hear of Gary’s death. This is Kathy Hudson Diesner and I remember knowing Gary from at least 4th grade, maybe earlier. We were always good friends in school as well as in church. Most years we were in the same classes in school and always in the same Sunday School department. Gary was always funny, friendly and just a really good guy.
You are all in my prayers.
Beverly Dull
July 11, 2024, 9:22 am
Liz Carlee and Joe so sorry for your loss. Praying for all of you. He was a very special person. He will be missed. Love you all.
Deborah Sellers Brown
July 11, 2024, 5:35 pm
Liz, Carlee, Joe.
I remember Gary as an avid photographer, who gave me one of the photos I admired. It was a vibrant colored house with a VW van sitting in front of it. I displayed it with pride in my office.
He will be missed.
With Love, Blessings and Prayers….
Deborah (Sellers) and Clark Brown
Rufus & Beverly Phillips
July 12, 2024, 12:07 pm
Liz, Carlee and Joe,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We enjoyed our talks with Gary at family gatherings. He was always so kind and his stories interesting. He will be greatly missed. Love, Rufus (Junior) and Beverly Phillips