Mr. Gary Huntsman

Gary Charles Huntsman was born February 15, 1951 in Houston, Texas. He was the older of two children born to Willis Charles and Ocie McLeroy Huntsman. He was raised in Baytown, TX. Gary was retired from LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport where he worked in Physical Plant as an Insulator. Gary was a talented and well respected musician. He started his notable musical career in his mid-teens playing lead guitar with various bands around Houston in the late 60’s. He later joined the reputable Empty Can Band traveling and performing throughout Texas in the 70’s. In 1979, Gary moved to the Ark-La-Tex and played in a handful of well-known local bands including the Just Us Band before being snatched up by Percy Sledge and the Aces Band as lead guitarist touring worldwide with him for 15 years. Gary was featured on Percy’s “Live from Louisiana” album as well as the track “First You Cry” on the “Louisiana Swamp Stomp” album. In recent years he played with the Soulfish Blues Band, A.J. Casio and the Two Tone Blues Band, Johnny and the Nightcrawlers, and Big Hotel. Most recently he spent his time playing with Just-Us Reunited. Gary has been heavily influenced by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, John Mayal, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Freddie King and Peter Green of the Original Fleetwood Mac. Gary lived and breathed his motto with an unmistakable ring to the touch of every string, “Life’s too short for a bad tone.” He blessed so many lives with his gift of music. He was recently selected as an honorary member of the Houston Blues Society. Gary was also an avid bass fisherman. Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Ocie and Willis Huntsman and his brother, Glenn Huntsman. He is survived by his wife Kay Huntsman of Carthage, TX; two daughters, Katie Huntsman of McKinney, TX and Amy McPhearson and husband Josh of Logansport, LA; numerous cousins and a host of friends. Gary went to be with the Lord on September 7, 2015 at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX. A celebration of life for Gary Charles Huntsman will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Hawthorn Funeral Home located at 307 West Wellington Street, Carthage, Texas 75633. Visitation will be prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. Gary’s wishes were to be cremated and his ashes scattered in the waters of Lake Murvaul, the place he called home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Houston Blues Society in memory of Gary Huntsman. Donations can be made online at www.houstonbluessociety.org or you may send a check or money order to Houston Blues Society, P.O. Box 272868, Houston, Texas 77277.

Tributes

Mr. Gary Huntsman

February 15, 1951 - September 7, 2015