Garred James Gascoigne, age 31, of Brookings, SD passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at his residence in Brookings, SD.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 30 ^th from 10-12 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron, SD.  We will be gathering at Prospect Park for a Time of Sharing from 1-3. Please bring a chair to sit on.  We will not be providing lunch or drinks.  Please bring your own drink if you would like.  Memorial donations will be directed to a non-profit benefitting nature, to be determined.  Social distancing and masks are highly recommended.

Garred James Namanny Gascoigne

We lost one of the most amazing and loving people that we all knew.  We loved him so very much.  On August 25, 2020, Garred James Namanny Gascoigne passed away in his sleep (cause unknown). Garred was 31 years and 284 days.  He was born on November 14, 1988 to David and Michelle (Namanny) Gascoigne with big brother Benjamin waiting for him at home.

David and I were so very lucky that Garred picked us to be his parents.  Boy, did we hit the jackpot.  Growing up his love for learning was never ending. It seemed as though he retained almost everything he read, saw on TV (Discovery, Animal Planet, etc.) or anywhere. He had an ambition to always keep learning.  Garred attended Lake Area Vocational School and earned a 2 year degree in Drafting/Engineering. He was always on the dean's list every semester. We were so proud of him and the way that he soaked up information is where he got the family nickname "Sham Wow."

Garred and his brother Ben had an amazing relationship, although at times Ben might not have been too nice. More than once he might have talked Garred into getting in a sleeping bag and then sliding him down the stairs.  On top of the brotherly rough housing, they had a love like no other and were best friends for their whole lives.

Garred was a Project Manager for Mid-West Glass in Brookings, SD.  He also continued his love of learning by being one of the leading members of Science in the Pub in Brookings, SD.  He was always so willing to share his knowledge.  His good friend Austin always said that they had to stop questioning him or arguing with him on subjects because 95% of the time Garred was right and the other 5% he tried to prove that he was right!

When he was young, he loved spending time with his grandparents and would go to his Grandpa Namanny's TV store after school.   Grandpa would give them (Garred and Benjamin) TVs to tear apart; boy did they have a good time.  When Grandpa retired, Garred would ride his bike over to their house and spend time with him playing pool and of course a cribbage game or two.  His love for the game of cribbage came from his grandpa.  We would also go out to Grandpa and Grandma Gascoigne's farm.  The boys would make forts in the tree strips and get caught in the barn where they were not supposed to be.

Garred loved the outdoors -- this is where he felt most at peace. Fishing, camping, hiking, and kayaking with great friends and family were some of his favorite things.  Garred was always ready for it all because it seemed that he carried everything in his car.  Garred had a group of amazing friends that planned week long trips every year.  He will always be there in spirit with you on all the trips going forward.

He loved spending time with all of his family and friends.  I think he had some sort of magnet in him because no matter where went, kids young and old seemed to want to hang out with him. His cousins' children especially loved him so very much.

We know that one of his favorite places to go to was Lake Byron.  There were times when he would go to the lake in the middle of the winter.  Taking all the heavy quilts down to the ice, he would lay them down and sleep out there.  His dad and I just shook our heads.  He would just look and smile at us.

There were two little children that won his heart: his nephew Windom and niece Charlotte.  He loved them so very much.  When he saw them the last time at the lake over the Fourth of July he said, "You know, Ben, when Windom was born, I loved him like non other, but Charlotte, I think she has my heart."  Garred, Windom and Charlotte would have some great conversations.  I loved listening to them chat.

Grateful to have shared Garred's life are his parents David and Michelle Gascoigne, brother Benjamin (Kimberly) and nephew Windom and niece Charlotte, who he loved dearly.  They live in Minneapolis, MN.  Also grateful to have shared in his life are many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is preceded in death by maternal grandparents James (Dick) and Ruth Namanny and paternal grandmother Helen Gascoigne.

In closing:  We must not take every day for granted because you never know when there won't be another tomorrow again. Love your family.  Garred always gave such great hugs to everyone.  Don't be afraid to hug the people you love because you know how it makes you happy when you do.  Garred will truly be missed.