Well, we lost a good one! Gary was non-stop entertainment!

In high school his nickname was Prone, as in accident.

He was all-county in football, basketball and baseball.

He also excelled in academics. We are still trying to figure out how? Gary was born in Eureka, Ca. to his parents Olive and Len Longholm. His mother always said he was quite a challenge!

In fact, it is pretty amazing that his future brother and sister were born. After graduation from Eureka High School, he attended Humboldt State University majoring in political science. He served in the Army achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. He worked in State Government for over thirty years. He was Executive Officer of the Victims Compensation and Government Claims Board. He was Director of the Government Affairs Office of the California Department of Education. He was a Legislative Representative and later Assistant Director of Legislation for the Department of General Services. Gary really enjoyed his retirement! He was an avid reader. He enjoyed fishing, backpacking and golfing. He did enjoy the Peppermill Casino in Reno! He swore he had one slot machine that paid off every time. At one point, that machine was moved to a different location and he didn’t give up until he found that winning machine. Gary also competed in many marathons. One of these, he stopped halfway at McDonald’s to have some French fries and smoke a cigarette. I guess that was part of his health regiment!

Gary is survived by his two daughters, Denise Morris, Montana and Wendy Schmitt, Sacramento. He is also survived by his sister, Lindy Rhodes, Redding, his nephew, Kevin Fogarty, niece, Katie Fogarty, Roseville and nephew, Lars Longholm, Gilroy and many grandchildren.

Gary is also survived by many of his lifelong friends and his dogs, Loki and Bodie. There will be a Celebration of Life on April 29th in Redding, California at his sister’s residence where we all smoke cigarettes and drink chardonnay.