By Lynnette Hoffman
Tuesday, October 5, 2021 1:03 pm
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Lewis County Commissioner Gary Stamper passed away last week in a Vancouver Hospital. Gary was a great person with a love for his family, his country, friends and animals. Gary lived life to the fullest, always making everything an adventure. When Gary called you he immediately started with, "How are you?" or "How are you my friend?" I don't think Gary ever met a stranger. Working with Gary these past few years has been fun, the world was a better place by Gary being in it. He will be missed by many of us!
Below are comments from his friends and coworkers:
Commissioner Sean Swope - Commissioner Gary was the ultimate neighbor and friend to our county. You will never be able to replace him. You just hope we can take those deposits he invested in us to make our relationships and county better.
Commissioner Lindsey Pollock - It is not only his partner Bobbi and his children who are devastated by the loss of Commissioner Stamper. His extended family, coworkers, employees, friends, and constituents have a gaping hole that his warmth and kindness had filled. I am thankful for the too-brief time I have had to get to know Gary. He was my mentor on the commission, providing steady, common sense advice. I learned from him and we worked well together.
Sheriff Rob Snaza - Gary was a great friend to all who knew him. Our hearts and prayers go out to Gary's family as he will truly be missed. Gary was not only a great man, but he was an individual who loved his community and enjoyed making Lewis County a better place to live, work, and raise a family. I will miss you my friend.
Jim and Laverne Haslett - Commissioner Gary Stamper's death is a great loss to this county. Gary overcame so much in his life, and had such a heart for people....being a politician was not anything like how I would describe Gary. He was from Mossyrock, and so were Jim and I. He was younger, by quite a few years, but we were well aware of his warrior-like spirit that pushed him to overcome. Jim played city league basketball as adults, and Gary and he connected through that, and when Napavine ran into some legal issues with their counsel, Gary as Commissioner was involved in appointing Jim back to the city council. Then Jim worked with Gary on several issues connected with the city, and with the county. Jim has such love and respect for Gary; we will both miss him so much. Our prayer is his love for people, his commitment and example being a commissioner of the people, for the people, will carry on. At such a crucial time in our history, we need leaders that will first of all, stand for freedom and be bold enough to stand against all the corruption that is coming against that...
Dan Mortensen, Mayor of Morton - Gary, was a true Lewis County resident. He loved his family, friends and this county. He celebrated this county every day and was a stable force that helped shape the lives and future of all that knew him. His presence will be missed by all of us.
Randall Sasser, Mayor of Mossyrock - It is a great loss, for our community and our county. He was a friend that will be missed. When you lose someone close to you it reminds us we need to tell those close to us how we care for them because life is so precious and we never know when we will leave the earth.
Steve Dobosh, Mayor of Toledo - Gary was my friend, we would joke about playing sports together back in the day. I will miss him so much and the help he gave me as mayor. If I needed anything or had a question I could call Gary and he would find the answer. Most of all I will miss the friendship we had through the years.
Joe Schey, Mayor of Vader - In the few years that I've known Mr. Stamper, I have looked up to him as a role model within the elected community. He was always kind, thoughtful, and someone that I could trust to do the right thing. The loss of the community can only be outweighed by the loss to his family. My condolences to you all
Roger Morningstar, Morton Chief of Police - On Friday many of us came together to honor a man that spent his life in service to others. That man was Gary Stamper. Whether in the school, on the court or in the halls of the old courthouse as commissioner, Gary put his service to others before himself. I was honored to know him and he helped make me feel welcome when I first moved to our Lewis County community, and Gary was all about this community. He loved this community and the people in it. He always greeted you with a smile and was willing to lend an ear when needed. Always eager to know how your family was doing because he cared and knew the importance of family.
Michelle Whitten, City of Toledo Clerk - Commissioner Stamper was a kind man and a man of his word. He understood the budgets of a small city and would try to help wherever he could. This sometimes meant he would volunteer his personal equipment and time.
Former Commissioner Edna Fund - With the passing of our friend Gary, the heart of Lewis County has a huge hole in it. We lost a giant of a man who loved our county and did all he could to make it a great place to work and live. May we not forget Gary Stamper, Mr. Lewis County.
Olga Miller - Gary was a friend who took note of what people said in a conversation. Once I mentioned I liked oysters. The next time we met he brought me a quart of fresh shucked oysters. We had a good laugh. This was not the only time I was the recipient of his generosity. His kindness should be an example to us. Once there was a man. God give us more.
Gary Stamper passed away from COVID-19, he was on a ventilator for several weeks. He was vaccinated and took precautions, that's why it was even harder to believe he has passed away. Godspeed Commissioner Stamper, Rest In Peace.