Gary Paul Baumgarten

Gary Paul Baumgarten passed away unexpectedly on October 22, 2023 in Silver Spring, Maryland surrounded by loved ones.  Gary went home to be with his Heavenly Father (much too soon at 61 years old) due to the sudden onset of multiple medical conditions.  Always with a smile, warm heart and kind soul, Gary will be missed by all who knew him.

Born in Takoma Park, MD, Gary moved to Gaithersburg, MD in 1969 and attended Grace United Methodist Church. During his early childhood years at Grace, Gary was very involved with several different youth groups, plays and other church sponsored activities. With his outgoing personality, he made friends easily, and was quick to help friends in need. At a young age Gary also found a passion for building, tinkering, and repairing almost anything that was assembled.  From cars to musical instruments, bicycles to stereos, Gary could see potential and purpose in things that others thought weren’t salvageable.

Gary was also an athlete and was a standout on the gridiron.  He attended Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, MD and played football each year he attended.  Though he graduated from SVHS in 1979, Gary is still considered one of the best football players in the history of the school. In addition to his love for football, he enjoyed rugby too.

After high school, Gary went on to become a successful business owner, having owned and operated several automotive repair shops in the Gaithersburg, MD area. He was also a consultant to numerous large and small businesses; when they had an insurmountable issue that nobody could solve, Gary was the resource they relied upon to resolve the problem. His honesty and integrity were unsurpassed, and created many lasting relationships that Gary enjoyed.

Gary moved to Clarksburg, MD in 1996 and decided to “semi” retire after many years of being a business owner operator and consultant.  He worked for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) as a school bus driver for a few years until he joined the Butler’s Orchard family in Germantown, MD, where he would resume his passion for tending to mechanical devices as their farm mechanic.  For over ten years, he would fix anything and everything, from ice machines to the donut makers to fixing the bulldozers.  Problem solving was one of his pleasures, and his skills in this discipline unmatched.

Gary and Angie moved to Knoxville, MD in 2014, where space was abundant and the natural beauty of the countryside was inspiring. He enjoyed spending time in the garage tinkering, cooking, going to auctions, mowing grass, relaxing in the pool, drinking an ice-cold beer on a hot day, being with his animals, eating (especially Maryland blue crabs), and talking with family and friends (he wouldn’t admit that, but if you knew him, you would agree).

Throughout his life, Gary enjoyed spending most his summers at the family bayside cottage in St. Leonard, MD.  Whether on the water during most days fishing with his dad and Pap-Pap, or the evenings gathered around the table eating dinner and playing games with the family until bedtime, Gary always empowered those around him with his passion for life, and the joys of quality time together.

Gary was a selfless man and spent countless hours giving back to the community.  Gary volunteered with several different organizations including: Grace United Methodist Church where he served as Board Member and leader of the Men’s Ministry, Youth leader for Sunday School and Workcamp, Soup Kitchen master cook –  “Gary’s Soup of the day – you never know what you are getting but it was GOOD!”; PET Project – “Personal Energy Transportation” for people that couldn’t walk because of loss of limbs; Clarksburg High School Booster Club, Vice President;  and was a proud member of NRA, UMMA (United Methodist Motorcycle Association) and the Izaak Walton League.

Gary attended Frederick Christian Fellowship Church in Frederick, MD throughout his adult life and proudly loved both God and country. He was thankful for the beautiful home and wife that God had blessed him with, along with his many friends and colleagues.  He was quick witted, enjoyed making people laugh and do crazy things for a shock value to his family and close friends.  Gary was known for being “the friend” who would do anything for you; he was deeply loved and is dearly missed.

Gary is survived by his loving wife and best friend of almost 30 years Angela Kay Baumgarten; his father George Paul Baumgarten who instilled in him his love of God at an early age; his brother Bruce Edward Baumgarten; his sons, Kory Christopher Wells, Gary Paul Baumgarten, Jr.; and his daughter Lynne Nicole Baumgarten. In addition, Gary is survived by many aunts, in-laws, grandsons, cousins, nieces and nephews. Gary was predeceased by his mother, Arlyn Louise Shenefelt Baumgarten; grandparents Donald & Hazel Shenefelt; grandparents George & Helen Baumgarten.

Memorial Services will be held at Butler’s Orchard on Sunday, November 12, 2023 @ 2:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that any memorial donations kindly be made to your local Humane Society.