Gary Lloyd Mink

Gary Lloyd Mink was born on October 14, 1945, to Royal Verlon and Edith Earlean (Long) Mink in Vernon, Texas. He went to be with our Lord on April 12, 2025, at his home in Graff, Missouri. Gary was 79 days, 5 months, and 29 days of age.

During the early years of his life, Gary lived in California. He attended both Woodlake and Exeter schools and became a proud graduate of the Exeter Union High School class of 1964. Gary spent his working years as a truck driver. In fact, up until the final week of his life, Gary was still on the road doing what he truly loved.

The person whom Gary loved most was his wife and true soul mate, Anna Isabel Bachhofer (Phelps). It wasn’t long before they fell in love and got married on March 6, 1970. When Gary was not on the road, he and Anna never left each other's side. They were constant companions and truly the best of friends. They raised a family together and built a home that was filled with love and compassion. They raised three children together, Randy Curtis Bachhofer, Gary Michael Mink, and Rhoda Ann Mink. Gary and Anna celebrated their lives together doing things that they loved. Anna even became a truck driver for a time so she could spend more time with Gary.

Gary was a very friendly and cheerful man, and he could put people at ease with his pleasant smile and easy-going nature. Gary found joy in dancing, and he and Anna created countless memories on the dance floor. They often went dancing with their friends, Bill and Helen Robinson. To watch them dancing and how they moved on the dance floor, it was a smooth and polished performance from years of being together. They also began going to Hopewell Free Will Baptist Church, where they attended as often and as long as they could. Other things that Gary enjoyed were antiquing, and he used it mostly to let the women pick out what they loved while he chatted with Bill. It was also understood that in his home, “Coffee was life.” He always seemed to have a large cup or carafe full of his favorite drinkable black gold.

Besides his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Anna; and two brothers, Wayne Verlon Mink and Royal Wade Mink.

Gary is survived by his three children, Randy Bachhofer and wife, Shirley, Gary Michael Mink and wife, Shelley, and Rhoda Yeager; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Mink and Rita Phelps; ten grandchildren, Adam Bachhofer, Andrew Bachhofer, Jacklynn Dobson, Gary Dale Mink, Dwayne Yeager Jr., Lydia Mink, Jake Morris, Ashley Martinez, Joslyn Morris and Mitch Morris. He was also blessed by 18 great-grandchildren, as well as many other family and friends who will miss him very much.

After his wife passed away, Gary just wasn’t the same. It gives us great comfort to know that they are reunited together forever, with their loving Savior, Jesus Christ.