Gary Sides

Gary Wayne Sides, 72, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Cape Girardeau on March 3, 1951, to the late Wilbert and Gloria Benson Sides. Gary met the love of his life, William Brake, June 19, 1976. They have been together for 47 years; they were legally married June 19, 2010.

Gary grew up in Cape Girardeau and was a proud alumnus of the class of 1969 from Cape Girardeau Central High School. For a short time after graduation he worked with his mother in the kitchen at Cape Girardeau Country Club before enlisting in the U.S. Navy on Jan. 5, 1971. He was honorably discharged from active duty Dec. 22, 1972.

Upon his discharge, Gary attended Southeast Missouri State University for several semesters before obtaining his cosmetology license and moving to St. Louis. In the early '80s Gary, using the skills he acquired as a cook in the Navy, began a long career as a chef, working in many notable hotel chains, such has Hilton, Marriott, Adam's Mark and several more, working every station from pastry chef to general manager. He retired as general manager of Georgetown University Jesuit Community. After retirement, he worked for a short time at Sam's Club in Washington, D.C., decorating cakes in the bakery.

When his father became ill, Gary moved back to Cape Girardeau to be with him. For the last 11 years, he has been very involved with Bobby and Crystal as they built 2 Sides Grillin' BBQ.

Gary Sides

Gary Sides

Gary was an avid flower gardener. He loved his family and was very attached to his furry family, Stinky and Maggie.

He is survived by his husband, William Brake; son, Bobby (Crystal) Sides of Benton, Missouri; daughters, Beth Henson of Delta and Kelby Brake of Arlington, Virginia; two brothers, Darrell (Jane) Sides of Niagara Falls, Canada, and Donnie (Echo) Sides of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren, Myra Hughes, Austin (Ashley) Purkey, Jenna (Caleb) Crowder, Landon Sides, Reese Sides and Caden Brake; great-grandchildren, Nickalos Hughes and Lincoln Sides; and his furry family, Stinky and Maggie.

In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by four brothers, Randy, Terry and Billy Sides and Kenneth Moore.

A memorial visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau

A memorial service will be at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at the funeral home, with Jason Wray officiating. Full military honors will be conducted at the conclusion of the memorial service.

Memorial donations may be made in Gary's name to Mac's Mission, a not-for-profit dog rescue, at 325 County Road 436, Jackson, MO 63755 or access them at macsmission.org.

Leave a memorial by accessing www.mccombsfuneralhome.com and clicking on Gary's obituary information.