Gary Lee Brinkman

Gary L. Brinkman
Carmichael, CA

June 11, 1938 to April 24, 2024

Gary Brinkman was born in Wichita, KS on June 11,1938 to Fritz and Cleo
Brinkman. Gary was the third child of six children-Survived only by his
youngest sister-Deanna Hauffler. Gary was raised on family dairy farms in
KS and SoCal. Gary briefly attended Kansas State University before joining
the US Army where he became a heavy equipment operator and was
stationed in Germany-where he kept great friendships with people over the
years! Upon being honorably discharged from the US Army, Gary returned
to Fontana, CA where he met the love of his life-Joan Morris on the bus
while attending Chaffey Community College. They wed in August of 1962.
They were married for 61 years before his passing. They had three
children-Curtiss(’63-Deceased age 3-luekemia), Keith(’65) and
Lynnette(’67). Gary worked at Kaiser Steel in Fontana, CA for ten years as
a heavy equipment operator and the accounting dept. In 1970, Gary
relocated his family to Sacramento, CA where he became a State Farm
Insurance Agent for 31 years near Alhambra & J St. Gary loved to host
many dinner parties and tell people about his wife’s cooking and how proud
of her he was that she made everything from scratch-jams, bread, pasta,
pizza! Gary was very seldom at a loss for a quick joke! Gary enjoyed
many activities-skiing, golfing, boating, fishing on the Klamath River and
travel with family, friends and clients. Gary also won a blue ribbon at the
State Fair for his winemaking skill of Barbera wine. Gary enjoyed
volunteering as an adult leader in Troop 1, BSA Sacramento-enjoying many
outings, Camp Cody and Grand Canyon trips-where his son and two
grandsons’ attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Gary was proud of his son
attending and watching his son’s participation on the USC Frosh and
Varsity Rowing Teams. When asked about tuition at USC-his response,
“Well, it is cheaper than rehab!” Gary also enjoyed watching his daughter
play high school and college(Chico State) soccer. He was proud that his
daughter was asked and tried out for the first US Women’s Olympic Soccer
Team-Seoul, South Korea-1988. He also served as an Elder at Faith

Lutheran Church, Fair Oaks, CA. Gary instilled in his kids a love for God &
Country and our flag! He was very proud that both his grandsons are
serving as US Marines! Gary was a resident of Carmichael, CA from 1977
till his passing of natural causes on April 24, 2024. Gary was preceeded in
death by his parents-Fritz & Cleo, 4 of his siblings, son-Curtiss. Gary is
survived by his wife-Joan. son-Keith, daughter-Lynnette, three
grandchildren-Fritz(wife Arianna), Denman and his favorite Callie and two
great-grandchildren-Echo and Lottie Brinkman. A Celebration of Life-TBD.
Cremation Services provided by Sierra View Funeral Chapel and
Crematory-www.sacramentofuneralandcremation.com.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Tunnels2Towers/Cancer Society/Troop
1-Sacramento, CA/Del Campo High School Boosters-Buy a Brick(at the
stadium-Fair Oaks).