Gary Chris Rasmussen Sr., (69), of Big Rapids, Mich., passed away at home on Jan. 23, 2024, due to complications from lung disease. He was born in Big Rapids on June 6, 1954, to Orville and Evelyn Marie (Prim) Rasmussen. He married Rennell Eveland shortly after high school and together they started a family in Big Rapids, having two sons. Gary worked locally for a couple of years but his love for his country, along with his mechanical aptitude, led him to join the United States Air Force in 1974 where he excelled as an aviation mechanic on B-52 Bomber Aircraft at Loring Air Force Base in Maine. After an honorable discharge, he followed up his regular Air Force service with a stint with the Air National Guard in Michigan where he worked on C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. Gary decided he wanted to be closer to home and family, so he continued his military service in Big Rapids with the Michigan National Guard where he worked as a mechanic in the motor pool among other duties for 10 additional years. This gave him the opportunity to follow in his fathers footsteps and join the U.S. Postal Service in 1977 as a rural letter carrier. Gary was a loyal and dedicated employee and was even recognized for having driven over a million accident-free miles during his 30-plus years with the USPS before his well-deserved retirement in 2009. His love of cars and mechanical aptitude led him to pursue a master mechanic certification from the State of Michigan while he was still a postal carrier. He was also a skilled craftsman who could design and build almost anything. He enjoyed building jewelry boxes for friends and family, an entertainment center for his extensive record and music collection, and a special red schoolhouse for his grandchildren to play in. Gary passed on his exceptional mechanical aptitude to both of his sons. Gary will be dearly missed by his family including his wife of 52 years, Rennell; three children, Gary (Michelle) Rasmussen Jr. of Big Rapids, Jeremy Rasmussen (Dodie Sims) of Reed City and Tina Stiles of Evart; nine grandchildren, Aaron Grant, Logan Mikula, Zachery Baumann, Dustin Rasmussen, Adam Stiles, Aden Herron, Heath Rasmussen, Rachel Stiles and Gabriel Rasmussen; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Judy Winegar of Big Rapids and Carla McGee of Hobart, IN; two brothers, Orville Jr. (Marcia) Rasmussen of Clare and Rick (Cheryl) Rasmussen of Paris; multiple nieces and nephews; and his dog, Bella. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Linda M. Rasmussen and Maxine J. (Micki) McClelland, and his brother Ted Rasmussen. A luncheon for family and friends will take place on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Mecosta Township Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to AMVETS Post 1941 or Hospice of Michigan. Please leave a condolence, memory, and picture at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Luncheon Saturday, February 17, 2024 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Mecosta Township Hall 19729 11 Mile Road Big Rapids,MI 49307