Gary Jon Lamon, 84, of Spring Valley and formerly of LeRoy and Worthington, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2022.
Gary was born in Austin, Minn., on October 4, 1938. He was a proud alumnus of LeRoy Schools, class of 1956. After high school, Gary earned a Business School Diploma from Mankato Commercial College. He proudly completed a BS in Business Education from Mankato State University (MSU) in 1963, where he was an active member of the business fraternity Delta Pi Epsilon. After he started his teaching career, Gary earned his MS in Education from MSU in 1974. Gary was an avid alumni supporter of MSU.
Gary’s passion for small town schools motivated his early career choices in Frost, Minn., Fennimore, Wis., Humboldt, Wis., and Beaver Dam, Wis. Gary spent the bulk of his career teaching at Worthington High School, a career that began in 1970. While at Worthington he became a favorite teacher of many students, advising the yearbook and newspaper and assisting with coaching tennis. With the advent of computers in schools, Gary became the first technology coordinator of Worthington schools.
Gary was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1996 and retired from teaching in 2000 due to his decline. He became an advocate for MS research and believed strongly that a cure will be discovered. Even while dealing with the effects of MS on his body, Gary chose to live with contentment and gratitude.
In his active years, Gary enjoyed playing tennis and driving Chevrolet sports cars. One of the highlights of his life was an 8,500-mile, nationwide camping trip with his good friend Wayne in an MG. Gary loved to return to his hometown LeRoy during summers to dote on his nieces — Colleen, Kelly, and Molly — taking them to playgrounds and the bowling alley, teaching them to play tennis, and buying them toys at the hardware store. In his later years, he tenderly offered care to his parents.
Gary was preceded in death by his father Earl Lamon and mother Emily (Edmonds) Lamon.
He is survived by his brother Rick (Cheryl) Lamon of Lanesboro, and his nieces Colleen Lamon of Rochester, Kelly (Paul Christensen) Lamon of Mahtomedi, and Molly Lamon of Eagan. Gary loved being updated on the lives of his nine great-nieces and nephews: Dade (Lauren) and Sim Mortimer;, Samuel, Faith, and Emilee Christensen, and Ethan, Bennett, Aaliyah, and Jocelyn Lamon Scott.
The family is grateful for the loving care Gary received at Wildwood Grove in LeRoy and Spring Valley Care Center.
Funeral services for Gary will be held on Friday, October 28 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in LeRoy, with Pastor John Kerr and Pastor Wayne Souhrada officiating. Burial will take place in LeRoy Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. at the church prior to the service.
Memorial gifts are preferred to some of the organizations that Gary generously supported: Upper Midwest Chapter of the MS Society (www.nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/MNM), LeRoy Presbyterian Church (www.presbyterianleroymn.com), or the LeRoy Area Historical Society.
Online condolences may be left at Hindtfuneralhomes.com.
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