Gary Calvin Ainsworth
March 4, 1937—January 26, 2018
Gary Calvin Ainsworth, age 80, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., passed away at home on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, surrounded by his family. Gary was the oldest of five siblings, born March 4, 1937 to Oscar and Clastine Ainsworth (Goe) in Oklahoma City.
Gary was a 1955 graduate of Polo High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1959 and in the U.S. Army National Reserves from 1959-1963; he was also a long-standing member of the VFW in Excelsior Springs.
Gary married Lela Mae McBee on Sept. 25, 1959 and they enjoyed 58 years of marriage; together they have two sons, Randall Lee (1965) and Gary Don (1968).
He retired after 40 years with Ford Motor Company in 2000, where he earned the nickname “Crash.” He enjoyed racing, spending time with friends and family, and watching westerns on TV. He was a fraternal brother of both the Elks Lodge and Eagles Lodge of Excelsior Springs. He was also a long-time member of Central Racing Boosters (CARB) and was honored to be inducted into the CARB Hall of Fame in 2017. His love for racing was handed down to his sons, who continue the family tradition today.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Clastine in 1963, his father-in-law Claude McBee in 1964 and his mother-in-law Bertha McBee in 1996.
Gary is survived by his wife Mae; son Gary Don and his significant other Tami Foster; son Randy and his wife Dana; granddaughter Erica Mercer (Ainsworth) and her husband Chris, and future great grandson Aiden Mercer—all of Excelsior Springs. He is also survived by his younger siblings: Kay Smith of Concord, N.H.; Nancy Stephens of Mineral Wells, Texas; Sandra Smith of Blue Springs, Mo.; Robert Ainsworth and his wife Cindy of Wichita, Kan.; along with many nieces and nephews.
Visitation and a celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Bross and Spidle Funeral Home in downtown Excelsior Springs. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m., with the service directly following. Friends and family will have the opportunity to share their memories of Gary at the service if they wish.
In lieu of flowers, Gary requested donations to the Elks Lodge or Eagles Lodge of Excelsior Springs.
Arrangements provided by Bross and Spidle Funeral Home of Excelsior Springs.
