The deer are wandering more easily this fall, as avid hunter Gary Luttrull peacefully passed away on September 28, 2024.
A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and colleague, Gary Luttrull started his life on October 19, 1952 in Sparta, Missouri and made the most of his almost 72 years on earth, always in his own way. Education mattered tremendously to Gary. He worked nights at Fasco to put himself through college at Southwest Missouri State - the first in his family to graduate. He worked as a District Conservationist for NRCS in both Henry and Benton Counties for 37 years where he regaled his coworkers with amusing anecdotes and colloquialisms. His love and appreciation of nature extended to all areas of his life, and some of his most treasured moments were spent with family and friends during hunting season. He celebrated victories and teased friends’ shortcomings in equal measure, with a twinkle in his eye and that infectious laughter reminding you he loved you. Even if you missed the shot.
His fondest moments - other than hunting - were spent with his family, including his beloved wife and life partner of 48 years, Bonnie (Bilyeu); their two children, Danyel (Aaron) and Michael (Elaine); and their four grandchildren, Izzy, Carter, Ivy, and Owen. He taught all four grandkids to drive the John Deere Gator, awarding Gator driving licenses to them when they mastered the task. He wandered his favorite home property on Bull Creek on cool days where the cows followed him like a pack of puppies and where Gary could name the call of every bird in the region. He tended to his garden faithfully, experimenting with predictable and unexpected vegetables, always cultivating more than enough to share. He fished below the dam in Warsaw where he lived for 40 years, always listening for the horn to sound. Gary knew that meant they were releasing water and the fish would be jumping. Gary loved his time in Warsaw. After he retired, Gary exercised his craftsmanship and creativity by making gun stock lamps and jerky to share with those he loved.
A celebration of Gary’s life was held on Saturday, October 5 at 3:00 p.m. at his home property in Walnut Shade where he loved gathering with friends. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Deano, and infant brother, Wesley. Gary is survived by his loving wife Bonnie, children Danyel (Aaron) and Michael (Elaine), grandchildren, Izzy (17), Carter (15), Ivy (14), and Owen (9), sisters Peggy (Tim), Susan (Monty), Tracy (Jeff), and brothers-in-law Ron (Debbie) Bilyeu, Kenny (Donna) Bilyeu, and Ben (Cindy) Bilyeu.
There is probably a circle of friends sharing hunting stories in heaven right now, with Gary contributing plenty of his own and finding food that is fit to eat. Rest well, friend. Thanks for making the world a better place.
