Gary Lee Columbus

Gary Lee Columbus, 79, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully due to complications from dementia on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at Cherry Hill Haven. Gary was born May 26, 1941 in Dearborn Michigan to the late Leonard M. and Evelyn M. (Norman) Columbus. He married Marjorie “Margie” (Budnik) Cottom on December 31, 1991. Following graduation from Dearborn High School, Gary attended Ferris State University and received a bachelor’s degree in business. He honorably served in the United States Army Reserves from 1966 to 1972, and in 1967 moved to Traverse City for a position at Milliken’s Department Store as a comptroller. Later he worked in real estate sales and development, and spent most of his career in insurance sales; in 2009 he retired from Hub International. Gary loved to work and being with his work colleagues and clients, and was always interested in helping others. He made many life-long friendships over the years, and was a deeply loving husband and dad; his friends meant the world to him. Additionally, Gary was very involved in the Traverse City community and served on several boards -- he was a volunteer at SCORE, and at Munson Medical Center. Since 1967, Gary was a devoted Rotarian, and in 1990-1991 was the Traverse City Rotary president. In his spare time Gary and Margie loved to travel and were lucky to visit many beautiful places. Gary loved Florida -- Siesta Key, Marco Island, and Naples -- he relaxed by walking the beach and reading by the pool; he especially enjoyed lawn work, sailing, cards (especially gin and cribbage) -- grilling, trout and deer camp, and his poker group. He truly was a people-person, and had a quick and funny sense of humor; he loved to laugh -- Gary had a passion for life and the people in it. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, especially his family and friends. Surviving Gary is his wife Margie; children, Jennifer (Deron Beal) Columbus of Tucson Arizona, and David (Grant Davis) Columbus of Portland Oregon; step-son, James (Devin) Cottom of Sarasota Florida; grandchildren Rowan and Renley; his brother, Leonard (Susan) Columbus; sister Barbara (Columbus) Haynes, brother-in-law David (Sharon) Budnik, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Gary is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Nancy Columbus, and his step-son, Mark Cottom. A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at the First Congregational Church in Traverse City, with a visitation beginning at 1:00. Memorial contributions may be directed to Northwestern Michigan College, Grand Traverse Pavilions, Hospice of Michigan, and/or Cherry Hill Haven. The family would like to thank the kind and loving staff at Cherry Hill Haven for their love and support during the last few months. Kindly share thoughts and memories of Gary with his family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. Please click the following link to view the webcast of the memorial service: https://vimeo.com/548927827

Gary Lee Columbus

May 26, 1941 - March 27, 2021