Gary Dean Showalter, 67, joined heaven’s choir on February 13, 2023. Gary was born on July 12, 1955 in Taylorville, IL to Dean Maurice and Marcella Fern (Spring) Showalter.

Gary was a follower of Jesus Christ, the most wonderful brother, a devoted husband, the best dad, and a very proud Papa.

Gary grew up with his loving family in Taylorville, where his passion for music was launched in the 6th grade through a lead role in the play “Huck Finn.” After high school, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Eastern Illinois University and later a Master’s in Church Music Education from Scarritt College.

Gary’s longstanding joy of serving in church, combined with his education and God-given musical talents, led to a Director of Music career spanning 32 years and 4 churches (1981 Ft. Stockton, TX; 1986 Roswell, NM; 1993 Alamogordo, NM; 1998 Kingwood, TX where he married his second wife, Sonia). After retirement in 2013, Gary began his role as Chief Assistant to the CEO at Sonia Showalter Designs.

Whether at work or outside of work, Gary was always glorifying God through his selfless love of others. He was a celebrity amongst the toddlers as he played guitar while singing his original songs from many verses of the Scriptures. Gary’s smile, laughter, and joyful heart for God were contagious for everyone he met.

Gary is survived by his wife of 21 years, Sonia Showalter, his daughters with his first wife, Maria Showalter: Charlotte (Chris) Dragon and their children (Moriah, Gianna, William) and Heather (Travis) Turnbull and their children (Jerry, Louie), Sonia’s daughters: Jennifer Kluttz and her children (Tyler, Adam, John) and Shannon (Travis) Bencs and their daughters (Chandler, Madelynn (Maddie), Kensley), Gary’s sister Diane Nolan, nephew Brian (wife, Taylor) Nolan, uncle and aunt (Al and Rossie Showalter), and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Mike Nolan.

A visitation will be held at Darst Funeral Home (796 Russell Palmer Rd, Kingwood, TX) on Monday, February 20 from 5pm-7pm. Please sign the “Tree of Life” registry book upon arrival and bring your favorite photo memory (printed) to share and leave with the family to compile a collage for the memorial service.

A funeral service will be held at Kingwood Methodist Church on Tuesday, February 21 at 1:00pm with a reception to follow.

For those desiring to support a charity in Gary’s honor, the family recommends the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship (midlandinstitute.com), a foundation started by Gary’s late best friend, or the Music Ministry of Kingwood Methodist Church, Kingwood, TX.