"So sorry to hear of Garys passing have many good memories of Gary and Chuck those were good times . Gary was a skilled mechanic and a outstanding person to work with . His workmen ship was second to none and his eye for detail was flawless and was bottomless pit of knowledge. I have only known few like him . He was known in the industry as one of the best . Gary was also good person and well liked and always made me laugh."
In loving memory of
Gary Eugene Ostrich
August 25, 1945 - February 3, 2014
Funeral services for Gary Eugene Ostrich, 68, of Stanwood who passed away February 3, 2014 will be held Friday, February 7, 2014 at 11:00 am at Bacon Funeral Home, Nevada, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am prior to the beginning of the service. Rev. John Chadwick will be officiating. There will be a visitation at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton on Thursday, February 6, 2014 from 4-7 pm. Burial will be at the Nevada Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Gary Ostrich Memorial Fund.
Gary was born August 25, 1945 in Ames, Iowa. He was the son of Charles Edward and Crystal Evelyn Johnson Ostrich. On May 1, 1992, Gary was united in marriage to Lori M. Holbrook in Johnston, Iowa. Gary owned and operated Ostrich Racing Engines in Nevada. Gary was a racing engine builder and a past drag racing champion.
Gary is survived by his wife, Lori Ostrich of Stanwood, Iowa; children, Lisa (Chet) Barton of Scottsdale, Arizona; Michael (Candice) Ostrich of Carroll, Iowa and their children, Taylor and Hayden Ostrich; Douglas (Shannon) Ostrich of Cedar Falls, Iowa and their children, Jacob, Ryan and Alicia Ostrich; Todd Jennings of Burnsville, Minnesota; Kirsten Jennings of Waupun, Wisconsin and her children, Zachary Wehde and Elise Jennings; Quinn (Valerie) Jennings of Bettendorf, Iowa and their children, Nicholas and Lucas Jennings; sister, Marilyn (Mark) Hersh of Des Moines, Iowa, brother, Robert (Toots) Ostrich of Apache Junction, Arizona; and his first wife, Kaye Taylor Ostrich of Nevada, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Tributes
"We are very sorry to hear of Gary's passing, our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time. He was a great guy. Many fond memories of working on race cars in the past. My he rest in peace. Pam & Garold Conrad"
"In 1976 I moved to Nevada to be pastor of Memorial Lutheran Church. I had followed Gary's successful career for several years and was anxious to meet him. We became friends for the next 38 years. I got to l officiate Gary and Lori's wedding, and had the honor of doing his funeral. His smile was contagious and I will miss him. The shop was my second home while I lived in Nevada, and he even rebuilt the 440 in my' 69 Charger. I was told at the funeral Ostrich Racing was the only engine shop in the country with its own pastor. Looking back, I guess I did spent lots of time there. The funeral home was packed, and afterwards people shared their memories and love with his family. While he was a humble, gifted, driver and engine builder, his first love was his family. I will miss my good friend. "
"So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. I have a lot of fond memories of Ostrich Racing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time. May you rest in peace Gary."
"We are very sorry to hear that Gary is gone and will cherish the memories. Never met anyone who didn't like Gary and praise his workmanship which is very rare in the business world! He was always there for me when I had a question or needed advice on my drag racing motors. So "down to earth" and approachable despite all his accomplishments in racing and engine building. He was more at ease telling you a joke and sharing a laugh than he was talking about his impact on the Drag Racing world in his racing career. RIP my friend."
"My thoughts and prayers go out to all his family and friends. A mentor of mine as a young man, I learned attention to the smallest detail, quality work ethic and how to laugh every day! Peace be with you my friend, my memories with you will be part of me forever. "
"I am sorry to hear of your loss. Gary was a great guy and I enjoyed working with him for many years. I was always amazed at how well Gary was known in our industry. No matter where I traveled across the county people would ask how Gary was doing. He had friends everywhere and will missed by many. My prayers go out to all of Gary's family. "
"Will miss his quick and witty remarks and his smile.He was a very special ,once in a lifetime friend. The world is a sadder place with his passing"
"So sorry for your loss Ostrich family. As I remember Gary ( and Chuck) were the reason we moved to Nevada. Donald so loved working and being with Gary on the race car circuit. HOpe they are doing a lot of reminiscing and racing now that they are together again. "
"Lori, I was reading the paper today and was shocked to see Gary's face/name...Tammy and I are so sorry for your loss. Our memories of you both are obviously from the Chameleon's days and you were both always such a pleasure...Gary was always so entertaining, just listening to him and his stories! I'm sure he's having a 'mist' as we speak...Take care of yourself, you're in our prayers..."
"Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Ostrich Family. I went to school in Nevada w/Doug. "
"I worked with Gary for a time in Marion. He was fun to work with and always had a great attitude. I wish time would have allowed to get to know him better and hear more of the stories of his experiences. Great guy, sorry to hear of his passing. My best to his family."
"This is a terrible loss.. We have many wonderful memories of Gary and a lot of great racing stories. Our most sincere sympathies to his family. We go WAY back. Great guy! Dave & Susie Koffel"
"I will always remember Gary as my drummer ( in the band occasional six). He was always happy when playing. I recall him as a very good drummer. I am very saddened by the news of his passing. Kaye, thanks for letting me know. Tom "
"SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE GREAT LOSS IN YOUR FAMILY..KNEW GARY FOR MANY YEARS AND REMEMBER MANY GREAT TIMES AND LAUGHS AT THE SHOP IN NEVEDA...R.I.P. MY FRIEND, HEAVEN JUST GAINED SOME HORSE POWER I AM BETTING"
"I met Gary through Mike his son who was a drummer in our band. He was a great person with a great attitude. I remember him sitting in on the drums at a few of our gigs. He will be missed. My condolences to the family. "
"Your name is Mike Ostrich?? Do you know a Gary Ostrich from Nevada Iowa?? That's my Dad.... I remember watching Your Dad and the "Defender" at Quaker City , Salem , Ohio 1965. Reading about him in Hot Rod. Now I get to play music with his son. What a gift. What !! I get to meet Gary and play music with him !!! Another great gift. God's speed to Gary. God's Peace & comfort to your family. "
"Gary was a great mentor to me when I was in business across the street from him in the 90's. His best advice to me was that if I couldn't earn a living working from 8-5, I should find a different line of work. He was all about balance. He will be missed. "
"Oh, so many memories! Thoughts and prayers from us! Way too young to leave his earthly life. So glad we ran into them in Mesa, Arizona! "
"I met Gary several times, always good times. He was a hummer of a drummer also! Does anyone know how to spell GLORIA!!?? He was one of the good one's. rip, Gary, your race is won. AYA."
"Gary was the best business partner anybody could of ever had. He was a very kind person who taught me a lot about lots of things. He became one of my best freinds. He was one of the reasons Midwest Motorsports was one of the leaders of the industry. REST IN PEACE GARY"
"Another good person has pass, we all will miss you' what you did on earth do the same in Heaven"
"Sorry to hear about your loss, our prayers go out to you and your family. Our favorite memory of Gary has to be his jokes and that smile! He will be greatly missed but loved much."
"Made me a better racer. What a great guy. Thoughts and prayers to his family."
"I will miss all the times we talked about drag racing and the stunts you guys pulled in the 60's and 70's. I always enjoyed bench racing with you during the years I ran my Biscayne at Divisional and National events and Gary,your a true icon in the sport,and a dear friend. Prayers be with you and your family. God bless you Lori. "
"RIP Gary. Hopefully you and my dad are enjoying reminiscing about the good old days of racing. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family during this difficult time. "
" One of the best engine builders that ever lived. We met at the Super Stock Reunion in Moline, IL, a few years back, had a great time going back over the old days. Godspeed. my friend"
"My thoughts & prayers are with the family during this time. We lived by Gary & his family when I was growing up. Always thought the world of him."