Gary Clay Fleck

Master Sergeant Gary C. Fleck, USMC retired, died peacefully in the arms of his wife on May 25th, 2020 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, OR. Gary was born in Yreka on June 23, 1949 to Barbara June and Henry Clay Fleck who raised their children in Scott Valley and Etna. Clay and June instilled a love of the Scott Valley and all that Northern California has to offer. Gary loved to camp, hunt, fish and ski with the entire extended Scott Valley Fleck family, including his beloved grandmother, cousins, aunts and uncles. He relished the memories from the ranch with his grandmother, hunting with his dad and brother, and camping with his mom, dad, brother and sister at Cabin and Carter Meadows. Gary loved and played every sport he could, from the original Etna Little League to playing multiple sports at Etna Union High School. Gary excelled at tennis and won local and regional championships. His tennis skills would eventually be used to run his own children ragged around the courts. Gary became an excellent snow and water skier and he loved family trips to Mt. Shasta and Lake Shasta. His love of sports and sportsmanship was best observed coaching his sons and rooting for his adopted Oregon Ducks. Upon graduating Etna Union HS, Class of ‘67, Gary attended College of the Siskiyous before joining the United States Marine Corp in 1970. Gary loved his ‘Corp’ and the precision and detail that was expected, and had been instilled in him by Clay and June. Gary was stationed in Guam, Camp Pendleton, Rota Spain, and eventually in his second home of Camp Lejeune , North Carolina. Gary rose to the rank of Master Sergeant in his 22 years of service, including time in the Middle East and Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In serving his country Gary earned many commendations including Meritorious Mast Two (2), Certificate of Commendation Two (2), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Letter of Appreciation, Meritorious Unit Citation w/1 star, Over Seas Deployment Ribbon w/1 star, National Defense Service Medal w/1 star, Navy Unit Citation, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal w/1 star, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal w/6 stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Expert Pistol Badge. In his second home of Eastern North Carolina, Gary raised his three boys by himself for nearly six years. He loved to fish and nearly every weekend possible was spent either coaching sports or fishing for flounder. Gary also loved the beach and would lead the pack gathering neighborhood kids, family and friends heading out to spend hours on the sand, and in the waves of Onslow Beach. Gary’s love of the two-step and Country & Western music led him to the Tar Heel Opry House in Jacksonville, NC where he met his beautiful wife Lorraine (Lori) in 1989. It was there that their 30-year journey on the dance floor began. Upon retirement from the Marine Corp in 1992, Gary and Lori moved back to his beloved Etna. Gary earned two Associates Degrees and began a second career with Siskiyou Telephone Company from April 1998 to June 2014. He could not have been happier being home with Lori working and living in Scott Valley. Above all else, Gary loved his wife, children and grandchildren. He was unabashedly proud of all of them and could not part ways with any of them without tears in his eyes. He is survived by his children: Chris Schnedler, Henry (Buck) Schnedler, Dana Jackson and her husband Eddie, Darren Fleck, Brent Fleck, Neil Fleck and his wife Sara, and Emily Humphrey-Zupetz. Gary is also survived by his sister Sharon Chessum and her husband Col. James (Jim) Chessum; his brother Dennis (Denny) Fleck and his wife Darlene; his grandchildren Tyler Schnedler, Hank Schnedler, Silas Jackson, Zaya Fleck, Cooper Fleck, Annabelle Fleck, and Lila Fleck; his great-grandchildren Lilly Volmer, Brody Schnedler, and Ryann Schnedler; and much loved nieces and nephews: Cameron Meraz, Sharon Lashley, Jeff Fleck, Jay Fleck, Alex DeKramer, Kyle DeKramer, Mika Vasquez, Tiffany Vargas, Matthew Elkin, Bethany McCarthy, and Ashley Robles. A viewing will be held for family and friends at Girdner Funeral Chapel in Yreka on Friday, June 5 from 2-4 pm. Due to Coronavirus measures, attendance will be monitored and restricted, if necessary. A private graveside funeral service will be held for immediate family only at the Etna Cemetery. We welcome all family and friends to join us for Military Honors and a Celebration Life at the City of Etna Park on Saturday, June 6, at 11 am. Face masks will be available to those who do not have their own, sanitizing stations will be available, and there will be catered refreshments. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Scott Valley Rotary, Etna Lion Pride, or the Marine Corps League Siskiyou Detachment #936.

Gary Clay Fleck

June 23, 1949 - May 25, 2020