Gary Van Court, 74, of Bentonville, Arkansas, formerly of Rock Island, passed away peacefully at Circle of Life Hospice Home on March 29, 2022.

Gary graduated from Kewanee High School in 1966 and received his bachelor and masters in English and History from Western Illinois University. He was a junior high teacher at Coolidge in Moline before working as a Production Manager at Cobham Life Support Systems.

Gary was a self-made man who had a variety of interests. He loved music, literature and art. He was an avid reader, a lover of poetry and history, and a world traveler. He loved nature, National Parks and adventures with his family. He always had a random fact to share, enjoyed making friends with strangers, and was known to enjoy cheese curds and a frosty beverage, from skunky beer to a good IPA from time to time. He enjoyed playing golf with friends, talking about airplanes, feeding the winter birds, and watching all sports, especially the Packers.

Most of all, he dearly loved his family.  Gary is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Patricia Van Court, his son Andrew (Rachael) Van Court, Hayward, California; his daughter, Rebecca (Justin) Goad, Bentonville, Arkansas; grandchildren Logan and Selene, his brother Thomas Van Court, Groveland, Florida; his sister Bonni Brown (Donald), Humble, Texas; sister-in-law Nancy Van Court, Glendale, Arizona; sister-in-law Sue Van Court, Wetumpka, Alabama; brother-in-law Noland Pettit, Venice, Florida; and numerous wonderful nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Alma; his sister, Sandy Pettit; and three brothers, Richard, Robert and Arthur.

A Memorial Service will be held at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home in Rock Island on Saturday, April 30th at 9:30. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be shared with the ALS Association at www.als-arkansas.org.

Condolences: wheelanpressly.com