I have decided to write my own obituary. I was born Gary Clifford LeFlore in St. Louis, MO, on September 18, 1954, to Clifford “Bugs” and Nina LeFlore. I moved to Corpus Christi, TX, in August 1971.

I graduated from King High School in 1973. I spent many years going to the beach, and early on worked as a mechanic and later switched to the service industry, all the while taking college classes part time.

I earned my Associate Degree in General Studies in 1982 from Del Mar College, earned my Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry in 1987 from Corpus Christi State University, and my Master's Degree in Environmental Science in 1997 from Texas A&M–Corpus Christi.

I worked for NASCC for 25 years in the field of Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Compliance. I retired in 2014. I also taught Chemistry to Allied Health students as a part-time Adjunct at Del Mar College from 1988 until 2010.

Teaching was a great joy in my life. I met many wonderful people in my life that I dearly loved and will miss them very much, especially my “adopted” family, the Gidleys.

I am survived by my mother, Nina; sister, Linda, and her two sons, Josh and Charlie; and my sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Danny.

There will be no memorial services. I have asked my sister to cast my worldly remains to the winds of Padre Island.

Please try to do a kind deed today and every day.