Gary Kent Bargell, 83, of North Platte, passed away April 20, 2022 at home. He was born on September 11, 1938 to Joseph (Maczka) and Doris (Young) Bargell in North Platte.
Gary graduated from North Platte High School with the class of 1956 and went on to obtain a bachelor of fine arts degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS in 1964. While at Bethany, he was mentored by John Bashor, a renowned midwestern painter and print-maker. Gary was a devoted student of the arts, completing graduate classes at multiple universities and ultimately obtaining a master’s degree from Kearney State College in 1970. Gary married Pauline Leech in 1961 in North Platte. He started his long teaching career at Kearney State College in the Art Department and also taught at York High School. The couple moved back to North Platte in 1967 where Gary was a beloved art teacher at North Platte High School until he retired in 1998. For a number of years, he also taught art at Mid-Plains Community College. Through the years, he influenced countless students, sparking an interest in the arts while sharing his life’s wisdom.
Gary had a wry sense of humor and was a very content person, who believed in living within one’s means and appreciating life’s simple pleasures. His interests were many and varied, including golf, baseball, hunting, fishing, shooting trap and skeet, nature, and of course creating art from whatever medium he discovered. Gary was a founding member of the Lure Traders, a local group of lifelong friends and fishermen, and a long-time member of the Lincoln County Wildlife Gun Club. Gary was an avid collector of fishing lures, duck decoys, and anything that seemed worth saving. He loved helping kids be successful, and was always a sound source of advice. He was greatly loved as a father, a grandfather, a teacher and a friend, and his unique perspective will be deeply missed.
Survivors include three children, Jon Bargell of North Platte, Dana (Cindy) Bargell of Dillon, CO and Spring Branch, TX, Jennifer (Randy) Porter of Centennial, CO; ex-wife, Pauline Aden of North Platte; grandchildren, Cassidy Lane Bargell of Cambridge, MA, Delani Kate Bargell of Dillon, CO, Hannah Jo (Chris) Medved of Sheridan, WY, Hayden Young (Kelsey) Porter of Weatherford, TX, Maddison Claire (fiancé Brandon Wells) Porter of Flagstaff, AZ, Nolan Bargell Porter of Austin, TX, Sadie Rose Porter of Centennial, CO; great grandchildren, Porter and McKinley; siblings, Dave (Deniece) Bargell of North Platte, Frank (Karen) Bargell of Sterling, CO; numerous other family members, friends, and past students.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Doris.
Memorials are suggested to Prairie Arts Center or Lincoln County Wildlife Gun Club. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be held 10:30 A.M., Saturday, April 30, 2022 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church with Reverend Patrick Sipes officiating. Inurnment will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held noon-7:00 P.M., with family present 5:00-7:00, Monday, April, 25, 2022 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements. The service will be live-streamed via the Adams & Swanson Facebook page for those unable to attend.