Gerard James "Gary" Pings passed away peacefully at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, on Sunday, March 1, 2015 with his family by his side, after a one year battle with renal cancer.
He was born on May 9, 1953 in Sauk City, the son of the late James "Jim" and Juanita (Leidig) Pings. Gary grew up in the Roxbury Township and graduated from Sauk Prairie High School in 1971. Some of the best days of his life were spent at the rural Roxbury farm of his grandpa Gerhardt Pings. In his teen years Gary developed a natural ability to work on any given GM car. He worked at Madison Kipp Corp from 1973 until 1988. It was at a company picnic in the summer of 1978 that Gary met Diana Cockroft-Vaughan. There was an immediate attraction, and they were married Feb. 10, 1979 at Madison Gospel Tabernacle. Gary had a strong passion for fishing and he helped Scott King start the Sauk Prairie Live Bait and Tackle Store on Water St. in Prairie du Sac. Fishing was his greatest joy, and hunting was his second. Most recently, Gary was the property manager at Bluffview Estates until his health forced him to retire.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Diana; one son Jeremy (Karen)Pings of Verona; two granddaughters, Chloe and Evelyn; step-children, Rochelle (Jerry) Mingus, Kimberly (Chris) Depies, and Wayne Vaughan; aunts Joan Leidig and Ethel Leidig; a brother in-law, Paul Cockroft; his dog Savannah; numerous other relatives and many friends including special friends Finn and Carol Fisher.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by uncles, John Leidig and Gerald Pings; and an Aunt Margaret Miller.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, 251 Water St., Sauk City. A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon until the time of service. Burial will follow in the St. Aloysius Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.
Gary's family would like to thank Dr. McAulliffe and Dr. Huen as well as the wonderful caregivers at Agrace Hospice.