Gary was born in Sioux Center, Iowa to Jacob and Arlene (Ravenswaay) DeBruin on November 20, 1954. Gary moved with his parents and a sibling from Iowa to Whatcom County at a young age and resided there for the remainder of his life. From an early age, being a farmer and raising a family was his life goal. He started dairy farming in 1982 and married Joan Westergreen on May 25, 1985 and they worked and raised their family side by side. Besides farming a variety of livestock, he greatly enjoyed attending livestock auctions and catching up with the local talk at the coffee shops. When his health would not allow him to attend auctions in person, he enjoyed watching them on his computer. After raising their family and farming just outside of Lynden for 36 years, Gary and Joan moved to Everson in 2023 where he loved being surrounded by his family, especially the Grandkids. During his last hospital stay, he was determined to return home in time for his families traditional “Practice Thanksgiving”, which he succeeded in accomplishing with the help of the hospital and hospice staff. Even though he could not partake in the meal, he spent that day happy and relaxed. As the final family members started to leave, he drifted off, surrounded by family he went to meet his Lord and Savior.

Gary is survived by his wife: Joan, His children: Jake (Jessi Kooi) DeBruin, Melinda (Brendon) VanDerVliet, Laura (Dan) Pinkey, Greg (Allie Mack) DeBruin, Garret (Brianna Parmentier) DeBruin, his grandchildren: Maverick DeBruin, Maddelyn and Tayte VanDerVliet, Rae Lynn and Laynie DeBruin, Edna DeBruin plus a sibling on the way, his sisters: Karen (Mark) Gonser, Barb (Larry) Roosma, Leann Martin (Al Biemold), Jayleen (Bob) Plagerman, his brothers: Darwin and Arlin DeBruin, His in-laws: Tom (Bonnie) Westergreen, Bill (Janet) Westergreen, Ed Westergreen, Carol Westergreen (Dale Poppe).

He is preceded in death by his parents: Jacob and Arlene DeBruin (Ravenswaay), his parents-in-law: Richard and Louise Westergreen, His Brother: Dale DeBruin, His brother-in-law: Barry Martin, his sister-in-law: Gay DeBruin, and Nephew: Aaron DeBruin.

Graveside services will be on Friday, December 6th, at 10 am, located at Greenacres Memorial Park, 5700 Northwest Drive, Ferndale, WA 98248. With a memorial service following at 12 pm located at Crosspoint Church, 8686 Vinup Road, Lynden, WA.

Memorials may be made to the Everson Lion’s Club.