Gary D. Harrington, 82, of Beatrice, died Sunday morning, April 28, 2024 at the Beatrice Good Samaritan Center.  He was born on June 21, 1941 at St. Paul, MN and graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in California.  Gary received his bachelor’s degree in 1964 from San Francisco State College and then his Master’s degree in English and Journalism.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1964 until 1970.  He attended Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and was ordained in July of 1975.  He interned at Williams, MN and then served parishes in Canada and Nebraska. On July 15, 1973 he married Sheryl Lampe at the First Christian Church of Beatrice. In 1991 Gary received his Master’s degree in Special Education and taught in South Dakota and Nebraska. After moving to Beatrice he worked for ten years at BSDC and then ten years at Walmart.  Gary was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Beatrice where he served on the church council and sang in the choir.  He was also a member of Oblate in Lincoln.  He enjoyed the men’s breakfast group at Holy Cross, square dancing, and writing.      

Survivors include his wife, Sheryl of Beatrice; son, J-D (Brandy) of St. Paul, MN; daughter, Sherri (Andy) DeLong of Lincoln; sister, Loretta (Kent) Street of CA; nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Ardyth (Cummings) Harrington; father-in-law, George Lampe; mother-in-law, Helen Lampe Thompson; step-father-in-law, Grover Thompson; brother-in-law, David Lampe.

 

Graveside services will be held at 9:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Prairie Home Cemetery of Diller.  Following the graveside, memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church with Pastor Kathee Forrest officiating.  The service will be lived-streamed by the church.  A family prayer service will be held at 10:45 A.M. on Saturday at the church.  Cremation has taken place and there will be no viewing.  A book for signatures will be available on Friday, May 3, 2024 from noon until 8:00 P.M.  The family will greet relatives and friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home.    In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Beatrice, Cottonwood Hospice, and the Beatrice Community Food Pantry. www.foxfuneralhome.net    Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Beatrice is in charge of the arrangements.