Gary Owen Pride of Eureka Springs, Ark., passed away suddenly on January 16, 2023. He was 78 years old.
He was born in Hot Springs, Ark., on October 3, 1944, to the late Nadine and Richard (Dick) Pride, the second of their five sons. As the son of an Army officer, he lived in many places growing up, ultimately graduating from Pacific Grove High School in California.
He attended several colleges, including Ouachita University in Arkansas and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, but ultimately, it was his powerful artistic talent that guided him for the rest of his life. He spent many years in San Francisco before moving to Mendocino, Calif., where he created beautifully designed landscapes and paintings. He also designed sets for many dramatic productions, including an episode of “Murder She Wrote”” where he was so happy to have met Angela Lansbury.
Gary was a tender soul. He was never without a dog, and sometimes two. They were his constant companions, and he loved and cared for them passionately
Following the death of his longtime partner Dale, Gary returned to Arkansas to be near family, living in Hot Springs and Little Rock while his mom was still alive, then settling in Eureka Springs.
He was preceded in death by his parents and Dale. Survivors include his four brothers Richard Alan (Dana) Jon Stephen, Kevin Lucas (Lynn) and David Wayne (Sarah) and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held at a future date.
Memorial contributions may be made to a local chapter of the Humane Society or ASPCA (the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.)
Gary was planning to come stay with me for a while. In my last conversation with him I told him he would always have a safe place here and he seemed pleased at the concept. After many attempts to call and text, his phone was disonnected. I’m wrought with questions. Should I have been there? Should I have tried to contact his family? My own health issues conspired to keep me at a distance. My heart is breaking with the knowledge that there will never be a more kind, generous, empathetic, and talented soul. Fact is that today we desperately need more people like Gary. He will be missed.
I’ll love you always my friend.