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Gary Lee Brink, 69, of Bandon, Oregon, formerly of Plankinton, South Dakota passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay, OR. Memorial Services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Plankinton. A Committal Service with Military Honors will follow at Mizpah Cemetery. Memorials in Gary’s honor may be directed to: Plankinton School, PO Box 190, Plankinton, SD 57368 or VFW Aurora Cty. #6554, PO Box 451, Plankinton, SD 57368.

Gary Lee Brink was born in Mitchell, SD, on his Mother’s birthday, January 16, 1949, to Gerrit J. and Lena M. (Groeber) Brink.

He developed a love for music, boating and sports at an early age. He attended Plankinton School and graduated in 1967. He and three best friends had a rock band, “The Dynasty’s” through high school. After graduation, he joined the US Army and served as a Medic, Physical Therapist in Japan for the Vietnam wounded. After three years in the Army, he attended college in Iowa and Colorado, where he met and married his wife, Kellea B. Kloepfer. They made their first home in Lake Andes, SD, where he worked in Children’s Services. They were blessed with a girl and boy and moved to Portland, Oregon in 1979, where he earned his Master’s Degree in Social Service at Portland State University. They moved to Coquille and later North Bend, OR, where he worked for Coos County Children Services. He worked as an Education Director at Bay Area Hospital. He was a handy man and loved to build. He and his brother, Dean helped their parents build a log home at Steamboat Lake in Colorado.

He moved to Bandon, OR in 1999, where he was Administrator for Heritage Place. He met his second wife, Jessica Markham, and was married in 2005. They were blessed with a boy and a girl. He continued to work in Social Services as a Counselor. He was a member of the Bandon First Presbyterian Church where he served as an Ordained Deacon and Elder.

He was a loving husband, dad, son, brother and devoted friend to so many who loved him. His passions were boating, water skiing, fishing, crabbing, horseback riding, and attending activities for his children. He officiated volleyball and basketball for almost 30 years, and was invited by coaches to many State Tournaments. He also enjoyed umpiring baseball for nearly 40 years.

His love for life and family were his everything. He always made a point to come to the milestone events in our lives and bring the fun. He could play his 12 string guitar and sing all night and never run out of songs. He and brother, Dean entertained new and old friends at Harp’s in Bandon.

Grateful for having shared in Gary’s life: his wife, Jessica Markham-Brink, his son, Aidan, his daughter, Willa all of Bandon, OR; his daughter, Karri (Gavin) MacCluer and grandchildren, Owen and Leah all of Sherwood, OR; his mother, Lena Brink of Plankinton, SD; five siblings: Nancy Brink of Dayton, WY, Larry Dean Brink of Plankinton, SD, Patti (Knut) Finnevolden of Otis, MA, Donna (John) Miller of Plankinton, SD and Debra (John) Moro of Joseph, OR; along with 24 nieces and nephews; 28 great nieces and nephews and many friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his beloved son, Brandon Lee and his father, Gerrit J. Brink.

A Memorial Service was held at the Bandon First Presbyterian Church at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 3, 2018.

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