‘If I can produce only one beautiful work of art I shall be able to rob malice of its venom, and cowardice of its sneer, and to pluck out the tongue of scorn by the roots.’
—Oscar Wilde
Gary Ray Chafe died on his 80th birthday, surrounded by family. Since his well-attended 75th birthday party at the Veterans’ Memorial Building, Gary had suffered a swift decline. Afflicted by Lewy body syndrome, a terrifying neurological disease, Gary was able to recognize friends and family despite the illness, and he was lucid, at intervals, until the end.