Garry Michael Sankey (1954-2019)

SANKEY, LANGGUTH, LAMPHIER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/17/2019 at 07:41:58

Obituary for Garry Michael Sankey
Garry Michael Sankey, 65, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Friday, August 16, 2019, at the Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, from a courageous 7 year battle with melanoma with his loving family around him. The family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 19, 2019, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at the funeral home conducted by Pastor Daniel Peterson. Burial will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Garry was born January 2, 1954, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Edward and Jane Sankey. He graduated from Marion High School in 1971. Garry worked for Pecks Nursery and a gas service station while he was in school. He started to work for Culligan Water Conditioning in 1973 as regeneration and salt route driver. Garry started from the bottom and worked his way to being an owner of Water Pro doing business as Culligan Water Conditioning of Marion. Garry was proud of the hard work and the accomplishments that he was able to provide to the community and for his family.

On November 3, 1979, he married Kathy (Langguth) Lamphier and was a great step-father to Todd and Eric Lamphier. Garry raised them as his own sons and thought the world of their grandchildren, Jordan Putnam, Austin and Camryn Lamphier. He was blessed with 2 great-grandsons, Layton Putnam and Jace Putnam, which he would do most anything for them. Garry enjoyed camping in the motorhome, bowling in leagues, and NASCAR, especially his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon, which he had many die cast cars. He took great pleasure in his yard and loved flowers and plants. The holiday Garry most enjoyed was Christmas; he decorated the house with 17 trees, lights on the house, and lots of presents under the tree for all of the children of all ages.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Sankey of Marion; two step-sons, Todd (Amy) Lamphier of Center Point and Eric (Donna) Lamphier of Vinton; three grandchildren, Jordan (Heath) Putnam, Austin (Kaylynn) Lamphier and Camryn Lamphier; his brother, Larry (Julie) Sankey of Marion; sisters, Patsy Rose of St. Louis, Missouri, and Lois (Jim) McBurney of Urbana; and several nieces and nephews.

Garry was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Jane; and sisters, Linda Klimes, Betty Harper and Sharon Schanbacher.
The family would like to give special thanks to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, and Drs. Mo and Ghosh for their countless years of support.
Memorials in Garry’s memory may be directed to the Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit at St. Luke’s.