Gary Wayne Sides

Gary Wayne Sides, 72, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday October 25, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Gary was born in Cape Girardeau on March 3, 1951, to the late Wilbert and Gloria Benson Sides. Gary met the love of his life, William Brake, June 19, 1976.  They have been together for 47 years; they were legally married on June 19, 2010.

Gary grew up in Cape and was a proud alumnus of the class of 1969 from Cape Central High School.  For a short time after graduation he worked with his mother in the kitchen at the Cape Girardeau Country Club before enlisting in the United States Navy on Jan. 5, 1971 he was honorably discharged from active duty on Dec. 22, 1972.  Upon his discharge Gary attended Southeast Missouri State University for several semesters before obtaining his cosmetology license and moving to St. Louis.  In the early 80's Gary, using the skills he acquired as a cook in the Navy began a long career as a chef working in many of the notable hotel chains such has Hilton, Marriot, Adams Mark and several more, working every station from pastry chef to General Manager.  He retired as the General Manager of the Georgetown University Jesuit Community.  After retirement he worked for a short time at Sams Club in D.C. decorating cakes in the bakery.  When his father became ill Gary moved back to Cape to be with him.  For the last 11 years he has been very involved with Bobby and Crystal as they built 2 Sides Grillin'.  Gary was an avid flower gardener; Gary loved his family and was very attached to his furry family Stinky and Maggie.

He is survived by his husband William Brake, a son Bobby (Crystal) Sides of Benton, daughters Beth Henson of Delta, MO and Kelby Brake of Arlington, VA, two brothers Darrell (Jane) Sides of Niagara Falls, Canada, Donnie (Echo) Sides of Cape Girardeau, Grandchildren, Myra Hughes,  Austin (Ashley) Purkey, Jenna (Caleb) Crowder, Landon Sides, Reese Sides and Caden Brake, great-grandchildren, Nickalos Hughes and Lincoln Sides, and his furry family Stinky and Maggie.

In addition to his parents Gary was preceded in death by four brothers Randy, Terry and Billy Sides and Kenneth Moore.

A memorial visitation will be held on Monday from 3 - 5 pm at the McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau

A memorial service will take place at 5 pm at the funeral home with Jason Wray officiating. Full military honors will be conducted at the conclusion of the memorial service.

Memorial donations may be made in Gary's name to- Mac's Mission non-profit dog rescue 325 County Rd 436 Jackson, Mo 63755 or access them at macsmission.org

McCombs Funeral Home has been entrusted with handling the services for Gary.  If you would like to leave a memorial you may do so by accessing mccombsfuneralhome.com and clicking on his obituary information.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gary Wayne Sides, please visit our floral store.