Aid for Gary's Final Expenses

It comes at a great displeasure to announce that my husband has unfortunately passed. For those who don't know, his name is Gary Dean Zerbe. In 2008 we got married, and he became a step father. He was a loving father of my three children that he raised as if they were his own. He was known as Daddy Gary. He was a devout husband and father that made every holiday very special, especially Christmas to the best of his capabilities.

In 2011, he endured a stroke that permanently changed his life. He went blind in one eye and color blind in the other while having his hands paralyzed. This was due to a long period of smoking, and although he stopped because of the stroke, the effects of smoking continued to make him suffer. For a while, he was on disability and began to hate his life. Although he was disabled, he never gave up and was determined to do something with his life. He started attending church where he became a religious man. He created a community that loved and even helped him. During his time at church, he introduced my children to Christianity, where he helped raise them through church gatherings, school events, and holiday get togethers.

While he was at church, he made a friend who was the main manager at our local Walmart. He was given a job offer that would allow him to be a door greeter. Thus, in 2018, he was able to get off disability and be more active again. He worked there for 5 years, making another community that adored him. During this time, my pair of twins, Dereck and Daniel, were in high school. Daniel was pursuing law enforcement where national guardsmen introduced themselves at an event. Daniel asked Gary if it would be a good idea to join the military. Gary, being a former member of the military, gave him advice about it. Later in Daniel's junior year, he joined and went to basic. The branch he decided to join would be Army National Guard. Due to this, Gary and Daniel both bonded more, sharing their military experience. Gary would help Daniel in all his events, be it school, military, or even church. Not too long ago, I asked Daniel what his favorite memories were of Gary. He told me that he valued Gary as a father because he helped Daniel join the military, but more importantly, that Gary led him on his journey to Christ and being saved.

Unfortunately, these last 2 years really took their toll on Gary. He developed severe COPD that put him in the hospital several times. While at Walmart, he was investing in life insurance that would cover his cremation. However, this last year he developed stage 4 of COPD and could no longer work. This made him resign from Walmart in April. Due to this, he lost all benefits, including the cremation plan he was investing in. He tried getting disability again, but to no avail. It would take several months before he heard whether or not he got it. He told me it wouldn't be till October or November if he would start receiving benefits. In his last remaining days, I and my family witnessed firsthand the horrific effects of what smoking did to his body. In August, he knew he wouldn't be with us for much longer and decided to take out a cremation burial plan. Although he had good intentions to not leave his family with the burden of his death expenses, he unfortunately did not pay on it long enough to take hold. This has caused great confusion for me and my family. A few days ago, I was contacted about what was happening. I had to rewrite his whole cremation services through Lone Star Cremation and start a new plan.

It has been devastating to have both my mother and my husband pass so closely to each other. I am having a troubled time having to handle all this. My son Daniel is supporting me and we are doing everything we can. I ask if you are willing to contribute in my time of need. I thank you all for reading this and for your help. I am so very grateful for your support.

Thank you.