Gary Lee Lentz Sr. was born to Flora and Charles W. Keser Sr. of Vancouver, Washington, and later adopted by Ervin Lentz after he married Flora in July 1948.
Gary grew up in Ridgefield, Washington, and graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1964. As a teenager and adult, he would spend part of his vacation time working on his dad's commercial fishing boat out of Cook Inlet, Alaska.
After working at the DelMonte Cannery and Alcoa Vancouver, he sought a career in law enforcement. He graduated from the Washington State Law Enforcement Academy in October 1967, served as a police officer in Camas from 1967 to 1970, and retired as a deputy with the Clark County Sheriff's Office in May 1991 after 21 years of service. From 1970 through 2006, Gary was a volunteer Red Cross first aid and CPR instructor. Most of the classes were taught to area law enforcement officers and firefighters. Gary's contributions to the law enforcement community also included serving as president of the Clark County Deputy Sheriff's Association from 1977 to 1991 and in 1988 as president of the Washington State Council of Police Officers and Sheriffs. During retirement, he worked as a school bus driver for KWRL Co-op for several years.
Gary was very active in various Masonic organizations, including The Order of DeMolay, Free and Accepted Masons, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (32nd degree Mason), Order of Eastern Star, White Shrine of Jerusalem, Al Kader Shrine Motor Escort Unit and the Gateway Shrine Club.
He also actively embraced membership and duties in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, BPOE (Elks), Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club and the Columbia River Camaro Club, and RVing with Ft. Vancouver Good Sams and the Al Kader Shriners Caravaners RV clubs.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Flora Lentz; wife of nearly 37 years, Leslie; and daughter Rhonda Lentz Budny. Gary is survived by his wife, Sharon Lentz; sisters, Georgiana McNees (Bob) and Linda Uskoski (Rich); daughter, Deanna McLaughlin (David); son, Gary Lentz Jr. (Angela); and three grandchildren.
Gary's family and friends are welcome and encouraged to come and celebrate his life together at 1 p.m. Jan. 6, 2024, at the Vancouver Elks Lodge 11605 SE McGillivray Blvd., Vancouver, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon, 97239, or online at lovetotherescue.org.
