Gary M. Abbott

Gary M. Abbott, 84, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 4. 2024, at 11:00 AM, at the First United Methodist Church in Columbus with Rev. Keunsik Lee officiating. Private family interment will be in the Shelby Cemetery with military honors at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Children’s Home Society, 4939 South 118th Street Omaha, NE 68137.

Gary M.Abbott was bornAugust 4, 1939, in Shelby, Nebraska, to Marion “Shave” and Gladys (Watkins) Abbott. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1957. Gary served active duty in the United States Navy from 1958–1960 and in the Naval Reserves for four years. On August 26, 1961, Gary was united in marriage to Marjorie Ingalls in Shelby. The couple adopted two children Chad and Margo. Gary enjoyed volunteering with the youth baseball and softball program in Shelby while his children were growing up.

Gary worked at, and eventually became owner of KC Auto Supply in Columbus. In 1993, the couple moved to Columbus from Shelby. Gary retired from KC Auto Supply in 2001 and enjoyed splitting time between Nebraska and Arizona. He loved Nebraska football, was a season ticket holder for years, and after giving up his season tickets, still enjoyed going to Lincoln to go tailgating. Gary enjoyed golf, horse racing and just watching all kinds of sports.

Gary made friends easy and had dear friends from all over. He loved being sociable and helped organize different golf mixers and got involved with woodworking. Gary looked forward to his return trips to Nebraska for the summer and his weekly Friday afternoon meetings with the “board of directors” otherwise known as happy hour with great friends. Likewise, when he returned to Arizona, he looked forward to seeing the many close friends who were just like family to Gary and his kids.

Gary is survived by: Son – Chad (partner Steph Ebner) Abbott of Columbus, NE; Daughter – Margo Abbott of Frisco, TX; Grandchildren – Tyler Abbott, Nick Abbott, Sam Abbott, and Trevor Scow; Great Grandson – Mason; Sister – Kay (Randy) Peterson of Shelby, NE; Brother – Kevin (Susan) Abbott of Shelby, NE Gary was preceded in death by: Father – Marion “Shave”Abbott; Mother - Gladys Sonderlin; Wife – Marjorie Abbott; Brother – Gregg Abbott.