Gary Larimore

     Gary was born on December 15, 1959 in Dover, DE to Robert and Rose Larimore He left us unexpectedly and heartbreakingly on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

     Gary was preceded in death by his remarkable daughter, Cristi Gingerich, whom he shared with Norma Burris, and by his beloved father Robert L. Larimore.

     He is survived by his wife of five years, Christina: her children Maddie and Torrey, and her granddaughters Alivia and Emma.  Gary is also survived by his son Cameron and daughter Taylor, whom he shared with Stacey and her son Dillian Callaway,  his two granddaughters; blessings from Cristi,  Kassidy and Emily Schaffner:  his loving mom Rose Larimore: his extraordinary sister Dawn Gonce (Chris) as well as 3 nephews, 2 nieces, 8 grandnephews + 1 on the way: 11 grandnieces: (and in case you were wondering, no, Gary couldn’t keep count. He just kept asking his sister for the updated number of the family.) He also left behind numerous other close family members, friends, special friendships, and his extensive Kriss Contracting, Inc. work family.

     Gary grew up on the outskirts of Wyoming, DE on Mud Mill Road. He loved being outdoors climbing trees, riding his bicycle, playing with his dog, always on the move. At a youthful age he got his first dirt bike. Of course that planted a seed for his love of machines. You will read later just how much bigger that seed grew.

     To his teachers’ delight, he joined the wrestling team in middle school and was able to work off some of his never-ending energy. Now, those of us that know the 21st century Gary well are likely trying not to laugh hysterically at the thought of him in a wrestling singlet. 

     In his early teens he began working on a local dairy farm for the Webb family. He did not mind getting up before dawn and beginning his workday milking cows, baling hay, or whatever needed to be done on the farm. He grew a passion for farming and animals, and his strong work ethic grew with him.

     His adventurous spirit kept growing too. It hit an all-time high when he turned 16 and started to drive. He wrecked his first three cars in the first year of driving. One car even ended up in Mud Mill Pond. His parents were relieved when his love of machines changed to John Deere tractors, backhoes, excavators, trucks, and trenchers.

    As Gary got older and needed more money to pay for more cars, he worked at San del Packing Company in Marydel, DE, Eastern Shore Energy in Camden and around 1986 he began his career at Kriss Contracting, Inc, where he worked for the last 40 years of his life. He was a superintendent, a right hand, a part of our foundation, the go-to person who usually had the answers. Sometimes he could also be ornery and riling, but getting the work done was always his priority. 

     Gary had an unequalled work ethic. He refused to stop, give up, or give in no matter what challenges he was up against. His need to work was so unreasonable he had to be convinced to take time off, like normal people do. He had found the outlet for all that adventurous energy, his work. Gary’s job is who he was, not what he did.

     Even with his heavy, much self-imposed work schedule, he was kind, generous, and always willing to help someone who needed anything. He would not willingly accept payment for his help, and he rarely asked for favors in return. 

     Anyone who knew him well knew that he always took care of others. With all those things considered, the question “why” looms in our minds.  The great sadness for us is that the answers may not be known nor fully understood by any of us.  What we can do now is mourn his loss and lean on each other for support and remember who he was to all of us. In this writer’s heart, he is troubleshooting circuits, checking fuses, and upgrading the service for the lighting up the stairway to heaven.

     Funeral service will be 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, DE 19934 where friends may visit with the family from 10:00 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. Tuesday.  Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Gary’s memory to any charity of your choice or to Brandywine Valley SPCA-Dover location 1757 Horsepond Road, Dover, DE 19901. Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com. 

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