Gary Bruce Schoolcraft, 79, of Harrisonburg, VA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at English Meadows Senior Living with his wife and daughters by his side. Gary was born on January 14, 1945, in Charleston, WV. Shortly thereafter, he began "doing Gary things.
” Never content with one job at a time, his extensive resumé included lawn mowing, newspaper delivery, insurance sales, managing a drive-in theater, running a car wash, caring for disabled children, and selling tires, among others. Most notably, he was restauranteur of the Bite-O-Bit, an LPN, and an Army chaplain’s assistant. If he had known that one could make a living blowing things up, à la Myth Busters, he might have pursued a career in science.
Gary was ever the altruist. He was a spirited volunteer and lifetime member of the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad and member of American Legion Post 27 and the Virginia Defense Force. "Sarge” also served as head chef on Wednesday nights at his local church.
He was always amusing people with his eclectic fashion sense, jokes, and tales of capers and misadventures. But even if you didn’t always know what “Mr. Mumbles” was saying, his laugh was infectious.
"Schoolman” left behind his wife of 43 years, Valerie Lynn Schoolcraft; their two daughters, Jeanie Lynn Cox and husband David, and Annie Kathleen "Katie” Payne and husband Russ; three brothers, Charles "Chuck” Schoolcraft and wife, Liz, Richard "Rick” Schoolcraft and wife, Pa.
