Gary Earl Meinke, 81, passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Gary was born in Port Clinton, Ohio to Hazel (Weidner) and Vernon L. Meinke on Friday, November 14, 1941. Gary lived his elementary school years in Port Clinton. His dad was a marsh caretaker, so his love of the outdoors was instilled into his being at a very young age. In the seventh grade his family moved to Jerusalem Township where he would remain his entire life. Gary attended Jerusalem Elementary School for two years and went on to graduate from Clay High School in 1959. After high school he went to work in a factory but constantly missed being outdoors. At nineteen Gary decided to try his hand at commercial fishing; the family occupation of his Grandpa Meinke. This was the beginning of Meinke Fishery, Inc. which after sixty-four years is still operating and thriving today. For three years Gary worked both in the factory and operated his fishing rig until he felt confident enough that he could support his new family. In 1961, his beautiful red-haired son, Vernon Gary Meinke was born, the apple of his eye and a deep affection in his heart.

For many years Gary and his brother Rick worked side by side commercial fishing, always welcoming the hard work, long hours and the achievements of their skills; a never-ending drive to succeed. By the time little Vernon was ten, his dad decided he was old enough to become a fisherman and that he did. At this early age he learned about the responsibility of hard work and developed a love of the outdoors, all while creating a loving and everlasting bond between son and father. At this point, Captain Vern, the persona was created and to this day he continues to perform the expert boating skills taught to him by his dad and uncle.

In October of 1970 Gary's second red haired son was born, Andrew Kevin Meinke. Named "Andrew in reference to one of Jesus' twelve apostles: Follow me and I will make you Fishers of Men". In Gary's mind another fisherman was created to teach his profession, while instilling the values of hard work and drive that he loved so much. ….Time will tell the rest of the story.

In Gary's spare time he immensely enjoyed hunting, fishing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and an occasional Miller Lite. In late 1976 Gary met the cute, little, long haired, brown-eyed barmaid at the Gulish Villa. On January 27, 1979 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church officiated by Pastor Roland Langford, Laraine Lynn Gulish became his wife and a 44 year partner in love, family and business. Along with becoming a husband to his new bride, Gary also became the dad and father of his only daughter, Sarah Ellen Meinke.

The wheels in Gary's head were constantly turning and with that came the brain storm to build a small marina on Coolie Creek to help facilitate his commercial fishing business. The construction began in 1978, under Gary's watchful and discerning eyes. Constantly watching and pacing from his sister Marcia's kitchen window, making sure all was done to his satisfaction. He watched and watched and watched. In February, 1979 the water was released into the new channels and in the spring of 1979 the brand new 240 floating dock marina opened for business. Gary's entire family; mom, dad, sisters, wife, brother and son worked every aspect of the marina business: working the bait store, bagging ice, counting worms, stocking cooler etc., etc. etc. For the first five years of business, all employees were family. Truly a family business. In 1980 an opportunity arose to expand and purchase the 400 dock Ro-Bo Marina subsequently becoming Meinke Marina East. Rick would take residence at the marina apartment to help run and operate the new business. Business was great, life was fun and to top off their joy on December 28, 1982, Laraine and Gary welcomed into this world their adorable baby boy, Aaron Christopher Meinke. At some point in the 1980's Gary phased himself out of the commercial fishing business leaving his brother, Rick in charge of the daily operations of that business. Gary continued to oversee the fish sales and always remained involved with the decision making of the business until Rick's death in February, 2004. At that time Andy began to fill the void left by Rick's passing by taking on the responsibilities of operating and managing the fishing business.

The 1980's were great for business, and in 1984 the first new addition began for the growing Meinke Marina West. This time Gary did NOT watch the digging from Marcia's window but instead went out and shopped for bulldozers, earth movers and cranes and do the digging on his own. Of course, with Vernon by his side to learn the skills of a heavy equipment operator. Many days Baby Aaron would take his naps on the lap of his dad while running the bulldozer. Upon the completion of the excavating, 400 docks were added, a new bait store and gas docks; proudly named "Laraine's Landing". In 1989 a final addition to the docks was initiated and Gary happily got back to his digging. He loved the digging, maybe it was his time of solitude, a time to think, plan, work and reflect. Upon completion Meinke Marina now had grown to approximately 1400 dock spaces. After Sarah graduated from college, she partnered with Laraine to help run the office operations of the marina. Together they manage the clerical side of running the marina, campsites, bookkeeping, payroll, stores ordering and stocking.

After several years of running the boat marina, Gary thought it would be a good idea to add a few campsites. Allowing him to dig again!! A very deep pond was needed to accommodate the elevation required to build the campsite. At the same time, "why not add a few at Meinke Marina East? Of course!!" In 1994 Meinke Marina Campground became a reality. In 2003 Gary and Laraine purchased Fleitz Venice Village Marina; which became known as Meinke Marina Annex. 250 docks and 40 more campsites were added to the complex which now totals 1600 docks and 250 campsites. Gary ran out of digging and debt therefore, he decided to invest in farmland which sometimes included farmhouses. Now he became a farmer and landlord. Aaron took a liking to renovating and remodeling the old farmhouses. He became the Meinke Rentals chief contractor, carpenter, plumber and electrician.

During all of this, the Meinke family grew. All GrandSONS, Jacob, Rob, Joshua and Caleb, along with two step-grandsons Dru and Cody. But, low and behold, in March of 2020 great grand DAUGHTER, Scarlett Rose was born.

Gary always had at least one four-legged friend. His longest and most faithful companion was Lucky, who rode shot gun with him for nearly fifteen years. His memory lives on. For now, he has Miss Beazley, Dexter and Gatsby to watch and wait for him to come home.

Meinke Marina employs approximately twenty people in the summer and provides marina services to thousands of boaters and campers through several generations of families. Over the past forty-four years Meinke Marina employees, dockers and campers have become the Meinke's extended family. The Family's lives are forever intertwined with marina employees and friends. During his waning years, Gary found himself increasingly unable to perform the often rigorous physical obligations associated with operating and maintaining the marina, he continued to direct and assign the daily tasks to his employees, yet always wished he could be right by their side, leading by example, "the way things used to be". Gary came from a meager beginning, and through determination, hard work and perseverance accomplished enormous success in his life. Gary's most valuable, precious, and rewarding triumph was that he was able to travel this journey with his wife and children. Gary's family happily and willingly united with him at every turn.

"In November of 2022 Gary had triple bypass surgery at Cleveland Clinic with great success but his splintered spirit could not recover. Sadly, he left us and this world by his own choice and decision. Our hearts are breaking.

Goodbye my friend, my partner and my love. We need you and we miss you—Until we meet again." Love, Laraine.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 44 years, Laraine L.; children, Vernon G. (Amy), Andrew K. (Valerie) Sarah (Laura) and Aaron C.; sisters, Margo (John) Wolff and Marcia (Robert) Amonette; grandchildren, Jacob, Rob, Joshua and Caleb; step grandchildren, Drew (Monika) and Cody (Allison) Kish; great-granddaughter, Scarlet Rose Meinke as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Richard and Charles.

Visitation will be held at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road, on Sunday February 26th, 2023 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM and Monday from 2:00 – 8:00 PM. Visitation will continue Tuesday February 28th at St. Luke's Lutheran Church 20 S. Yondota Curtice, Ohio, where the family will greet friends from 10:00 -11 AM. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery. Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy in Gary's memory are asked to consider St. Luke's Lutheran Church or the Wounded Warrior Project.