Gary Earl Kleinman passed peacefully to His Father above on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the age of 84 after having valiantly and uncomplainingly endured advanced Alzheimer’s disease for almost a decade. He is the fourth of five children and the third son of Earl Franklin Kleinman and Velda Bond Kleinman. Gary was born in Mesa and resided here his entire life, attending Mesa High School, excelling in track, and graduating in the class of 1959. Thereafter he enlisted in the army and served from 1960 to 1963, ending with a tour in Greenland Returning home to Mesa he served in the Arizona national guard for a year. He worked for Mesa Public Schools from 1966 to 2002, the majority of that time in the Grounds and Maintenance Department as an off-highway mechanic on heavy equipment. Gary loved sports and was an excellent fast-pitch softball pitcher for many years and bowled on bowling teams a couple nights a week and in city, state, and national tournaments for over 30 years. He is listed in the Bowlers Hall of Fame Museum in Texas. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he has served on two stake missions and on a service mission. Gary is survived by his wife, Linda Martineau Kleinman, and children – Darin (Laura), Gary (Brandi), Kevin (Cynthia) , Curtis, Trina (Paul) Sallee, Shellece Kleinman, and Kristi (Seth) Denman, 19 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings: John D. (Karen) Kleinman and Marieva (Dennis) Munson; brother and sister-in-laws Tony (Nancy) Martineau, Cherrie Sessions, and Diana (Bill) Johnston; as well as, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held in the Relief Society room of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 7752 E. McDowell Rd., Mesa, at noon on Saturday, September 21, 2024, with the funeral services following at 1:00 p.m. and grave side services at 3:00 p.m. He will be interred in the Mesa City Cemetery.
For those unable to attend the funeral the Zoom link is provided: https://zoom.us/j/93323233945
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Linda and Curtis, We send our sincere condolences to both of you along with your family and
friends. I remember Gary teaching Kyl how to eat and seed a pomegranate for the 1st time. He came home so excited to show me how to eat and seed one we had to go to the store right away to get pomegranates. To this it’s one of his favorite fruits. Blessings and please reach out. Curtis my number is still the same.Hugs, love and blessings to all of you.