Gary Wade Redden

Gary Wade Redden "Guitar Gary" Age 64 Johnson City TN Death: Friday March 18, 2016 JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- Gary Wade Redden, age 64, passed away Friday, March 18, 2016 in Johnson City, Tenn., surrounded by his family and friends. Gary was born in Houston, Texas on Sept. 27, 1951 to Inez Elaine Schmacher and Dean Calvin Redden. He and his family moved to Austin, Texas when he was two years old. He attended John H. Reagan High School, graduating in 1970, and then went on to the University of Texas, Austin. He relocated to the Tri-Cities area in the mid 1970s. In 1978 he started the Biomedical Equipment Dept. at Bristol Memorial Hospital. He held accounts with a number of major hospitals and clinics for more than 35 years in the Southeast while working in Service and sales of Biomedical Equipment with Datex-Omeda, Medrad and Bayer HealthCare until his retirement in 2014. Gary picked up the guitar at about age eight and never put it down. Experiencing live music in Austin, especially after seeing Stevie Ray Vaughn perform, music and the guitar became his passion. Over the last year it became his therapy as he traveled down that long road that ultimately led him home. He played his guitar with numerous local bands, including The StratoCats, Midnight Roosters, Sound Drivers, One Good Thing, Jimmie D and always enjoyed picking sessions at the house with his gang. Gary was a light in everyone's life that knew him, a wonderful man with a vivacious spirit who lived life to the fullest, never met a stranger and loved his family unconditionally and with his entire heart and soul. Gary leaves behind his beloved wife and biggest fan, Donna Hash; his brothers, Dean Redden and wife Linda; Ronnie Redden and wife Ferri; his daughters, Emily Figura and husband Adam; Erin Carr and husband Derek; their mother, Jane Hasko; his son Eric Redden and girlfriend Melissa; mother-in-law Marian Neale; sister-in-law Dede Hash; sister-in-law Susan Jones and husband Mike; grandsons, Eli, Steven, Theo, Emmet, Calvin and Fate; granddaughter, Lily; nieces, Jennifer, Amy, Jessica, Lindsay, Rachael, Kathleen, Emma, Tessa, Katie and Brookelyn; nephews, Michael, Scott and Bryson; and special friends, Brian Smith, Kim Chasse and Doug Smith. Special thanks to: * The nurses of 10T3 Leukemia Floor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center - especially nurse Susan who guided us through this journey. * Gary's doctor at Vanderbilt Medical Center and our guardian angel, Dr. Romany Johnpolle and her husband Yogi who have become a part of our family. * The nurses at Holston Valley Medical Center, 3rd Floor Wilcox Hall. We will always remember your special care. * The living Tribute Jam "Gary Redden's Blue Guitar" at Down Home, which Gary was able to attend. He was so inspired by the love and support from all his friends and fellow musicians. It was truly a spiritual night. There is a closed family service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to to Hospital Hospitality House, Nashville, Tenn., and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the family. You may visit Trinitymemorialcenters.com to send a message of condolence or flowers to the family.