Gary C. Clarkson

Gary Charles Clarkson, who passed away on April 28, 2026, at the age of 79, was born in Dallas, Texas, to Duncan and Doris (Charles) Clarkson. The family later relocated to Detroit, where he was raised before moving to Farmington.

Gary joined the United States Air Force in 1965, serving in the Air Police. He was stationed in Montana before being deployed to Thailand during the Vietnam War, and he was honorably discharged in 1969.

In 1970, Gary joined the Ingham County Sheriff’s Department – Delhi Division, where he earned the nickname Sgt. Grumpy while wearing badge #556. He worked there for 20 years before transferring to the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office in 1990. He retired from the police force in 1996 and continued working and volunteering in the community.

Gary met Celeste Wlosinski in 1973 at the Ingham County Sheriff’s Department, where she was working as a dispatcher. They married on April 16, 1977, celebrating with 500 of their closest family and friends. Together, they raised two daughters in Holt while enjoying time with friends and neighbors.

Gary was proud of his heritage, traveling to Scotland, England, and Wales numerous times and having the opportunity to visit where his father and grandparents came from. He traveled with family and friends on many wonderful trips, including Alaska, Hawaii, Italy, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Nova Scotia, Ireland, and places in between.

He had the honor of being a Master Mason and joined the Scottish Rite (33rd Degree). His hero was Al Kaline, and he had the joy of meeting him twice. He loved watching his grandkids grow, supporting them in every way, and telling them stories of the past.

To celebrate your friendship with and love of Gary, take time to do some of the things he enjoyed:  make a list; mow and edge your lawn…then wax the mower; monitor the weather; organize your tool bench; play a game on your iPad; clean your garage; toast a wee dram of single malt scotch; feed the birds; enjoy a bowl of Cheerios; enjoy a good cigar or pipe; pop some popcorn; read a book on Scottish history; fly a non-tattered American flag; hang out with friends at deer camp; cheer on the MSU Spartans, Detroit Tigers & Lions, or the Green Bay Packers; grab a burger at Green’s in Farmington; watch a rerun of M*A*S*H*; or give quarters to your grandchildren—one for every year of their age.

Gary is survived by his wife of 49 years, Celeste; his daughters, Sarah Hillard and Heather Rosales; and his sons-in-law, whom he considered his own, Shawn Hillard and Orlando “OJ” Rosales. He was Grandpa to Brennan Hillard and Gramps to Quinn Rosales, and Dog Grandpa to Chewie and Lucy. He is also survived by his sister, Judith (Lewis) Zuber; sister-in-law, Bernadine Fencyk; brother-in-law, Louis (Kathleen) Wlosinski; and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gary’s memory to Sparrow Hospice House or Wreaths Across America.
A private memorial will be held later this year.