Retired Lieutenant Colonel Gary Bernard Streit, 81, of Vernon, Texas passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023, in Vernon, after a brief illness.

Funeral services will be Friday, June 2, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Neuberger officiating.  Burial with full Military Honors will follow at Eastview Memorial Park under the direction of Sullivan Funeral Home.

Gary was born July 6, 1941 in Vernon, Texas. He was the son of the late Ernest Streit and the late Verena Fluhman and stepson of the late Ida Streit. He married Mary Beth Pruitt in Albuquerque, NM in 1968 and had two children, Stephanie and Michaela.

Gary graduated Vernon High School in 1959 and attended Texas Tech until 1963. He was co-owner of Window Covering Company, Inc with offices in Lubbock, Albuquerque and Oklahoma City between the years of 1963-1976. He held the titles of Secretary/Treasurer, President and Chairman of the Board and served on the Board of Directors for Southwest Window Covering Association. Gary joined the National Guard and went on active duty in 1964. He worked for the Department of Defense as a United States Army Reserves school advisor from 1977-1981 and held rank as Lieutenant Colonel in the USAR, retiring in August 1994 after serving for 30 years. Gary and his family returned to Vernon in 1981 to take over the family farm which was established in 1885 and has been in continuous operation under the Streit family for 138 years. He loved his cattle and was passionate about pursuing his family history and sharing with anyone that would listen.

Gary was proud to serve his community after being elected as the first Republican County Judge in 1995 and served until 2006. He was a member of St Paul Lutheran Church.

Gary is survived by his friend and companion, Mary Diane Parker of Vernon, Texas who loved and cared for him, his two daughters, Stephanie Khodarahmi (John) of Lone Tree, Colorado and Miki Walsh (Joe) of Lafayette, California, two brothers, Dennis Streit (Candy) of Dallas, Texas, Dale VanLoh (Laura) of Dallas, Texas and sister Renee Havins (Steve) of Amarillo, Texas. Gary leaves behind his grandchildren, Jack and Grace Khodarahmi, Maddie and Tatum Walsh, as well as Parker and Trevor Meads and Jacob Newell and several nephews and a niece.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 1st, 2023 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Sullivan Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St Paul Lutheran Church or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.