Gary Wade Drinkwater passed away on December 12th, 2014 at home in Baton Rouge. He was born August 19th, 1944, in Franklin, LA and was the youngest of five sons born to his parents, Minor Earl Drinkwater and Jessie Shoemaker Drinkwater. He was a graduate of Plaquemine High School and LSU. He retired from J. Ray McDermott in 2000 after twenty-six years of service. His father and all four brothers were also employed by and retired from McDermott. Gary was a Captain in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam as a pilot with the 170th Helicopter Company of the 52nd Aviation Battalion. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star. Gary was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Central Lodge #442 F & AM, Scottish Rite, Vietnam Veterans of America, LSU Alumni Association, Cadets of the Ole War Skule, and the Louisiana Art and Artists' Guild. He was a former senior warden of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Franklin, LA and reigned as King Sucrose LXIII in 2003 for the Krewe of Sucrose in Franklin. Following his retirement, Gary pursued a lifelong interest in painting. He delighted in displaying and presenting his art to friends and family and enjoyed developing a site featuring the complete body of his artworks with daughter Allison. Gary is survived by his loving wife of forty-seven years, Karen Bourgoyne Drinkwater; two daughters, Amanda Kaye Drinkwater and husband Robert Myers of Highland Village, Texas, and Allison Drinkwater Johnson and husband Samuel Johnson of Salt Lake City, Utah; three grandchildren, Gabriel, Elias Luca, and Evangeline Johnson. He is also survived by his brother, Charles "Bud" Drinkwater of Central; sisters-in-law, Inez Drinkwater of Centerville, LA and Sharon Drinkwater White of Addis, LA; special cousin, John Lee Drinkwater of St. Gabriel; his Bourgoyne in-laws, Barbara Bovard, Carol Roberts, Cliff Bourgoyne, Roger Bourgoyne, and Yvonne Thomas; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his brothers, Jack Drinkwater of Centerville, Arthur Drinkwater of Baton Rouge, and Donald Drinkwater of Plaquemine. A visitation will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home (Downtown location) 825 Government Street in Baton Rouge, from 5-8:00pm on Monday, December 15th. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Tuesday, December 16th, at 11:00am, with visitation beginning at 9:30am. Burial will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. The family wishes to thank Dr. Patten and Dr. Stringfellow and the entire staff of Our Lady of the Lake Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center as well as Dr. Hau,
Mike Williams, RN, and the staff of the Veterans Administration Clinic in Baton Rouge. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Leukemia Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Great colleague, fellow athlete, and roomate while at PHS and LSU--til we meet again! Tom Snellgrove
Tom Snellgrove
Friend
December 18, 2023
Henry Winther
Military
December 7, 2020
Karen. Thinking of you. This is still like yesterday to yo-yo I am sure! God heals the pain in time but knowing he is not in pain anymore surely helps you get through the days. Rip Love you. Bunnie
Bunnie mitchell
Friend
December 7, 2020
I would like to offer my sincere condolences to your entire family. Gary and I played hoop together at ole PHS, then reconnected and shared an apartment at LSU. Reconnected again in Wash.D.C., then at two high school reunions. Always the same, great stories and many laughs. We seemed to have the same philosophy of getting our "nickles-worth" from life. When we meet again I'm sure it will be the same story--looking forward to seeing him again!
Tom Snellgrove
December 27, 2014
Mrs. Drinkwater,
Thank you so much for giving all of us the chance to get to know ya'll and take care of ya'll. It was a pleasure!!!
Donna Landry, RN OCN
December 22, 2014
Karen and Family: I was out of town when I heard about Gary's passing. You are in our prayers and we pray for God's blessings and comfort for you. I had the privilege of working for Gary in Morgan City in the mid 70's. He was one of the finest people I ever met. We worked many long hours on the Cognac project, but Gary was an inspiration for everyone. We cherish the time we had together.
Steve Walton
December 21, 2014
Dearest Karen, Allison and Amanda...please know my heart full of love and tears is right there with you as you say 'goodbye' to Gary the love and light of your lives. My family and I were so blessed to have you and Gary as dear friends here in Thibodaux, Louisiana, during the roaring J Ray McDermott years. Lenno loved working with Gary trying to find the perfect house for the Drinkwaters and keep you all in our neighborhood, but failing that I am sure Lenno is fluffing up the softest cloud in heaven for the arrival of his good buddy Gary. Stars shine brightest in skies of deepest blue. Take the stars. Love, Patsy Powell
Patsy Powell
December 17, 2014
Karen and family. My sincere condolences. He was a gentleman who loved his family. Especially, he was so proud of his daughters.
Ed and Cecile Diehl
December 17, 2014
Karen: So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. May the memories of your times together bring you comfort. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love to you and the girls.
Cheryl Tabor
December 16, 2014
Henry Winther
December 16, 2014
Karen,
I'm very sorry to hear about Gary. I always thought of Gary as a great guy! Even though I haven't seen ya'll in a long time, I have a special feeling for both of you.
I'm sure Sandra has already welcomed Gary to heaven, and who could be better than Sandra to greet you?
I'm in Sweeny Texas working, so I won't get a chance to see you, but you'll be in my prayers.
GOD Bless You and Your Family,
Bubby Dupont
December 16, 2014
Karen, Amanda, Allison and Family:
Gary was in my Helicopter Flight Class of 70-20. I was privileged to meet with Gary on the way to the VHPA Reunion in New Orleans a few years ago and got to spend some valuable time with him at the Reunion. His jovial nature preceded him and always touched my heart, a yankee from Rhode Island, when we first met. My prayers are with you all.
Don Agren
December 15, 2014
Please accept our sincere condolences on Gary's passing; he has been on our prayer list for years. Although I never worked directly with Gary, in the late 80s when Morgan City was trying to keep me from going overseas to work, Gary intervened on my behalf. I don't know, maybe just one former Vietnam helicopter pilot helping out another, but regardless I appreciated it and I never forgot the kindness.
I always had the utmost respect for Gary as a person and as a leader in JRM, and again we are so sorry to learn of his passing. We know he had a day-by-day struggle and feel sure he faced each day with dignity and resilience. Rest thee well.
Wendell O. & Dolly FREEMAN
Wendell Freeman
December 15, 2014
Henry Winther
December 15, 2014
Henry Winther
December 15, 2014
Henry Winther
December 15, 2014
Henry Winther
December 15, 2014
Henry Winther
December 15, 2014
Sad we no longer have Gary with us, a true loss being felt by all members of the 170th. Always hard to loose someone who we have shared life and death experiences with and this one will take awhile to accept... A Memorial Brick is being placed at National Vietnam War Museum in Mineral Wells, TX for Gary Drinkwater ...
Henry Winther
December 15, 2014
To Karen and the entire Drinkwater family. America lost another patriot with the passing of Gary. He was a fine soldier and aviator. We were classmates in flight school, ORWAC 70-20. RIP, Gary.
Robert Frost
December 15, 2014
I had the Honor to marry Mr. Gary's "uncle" godchild ,Erica Abney, this year. I only got to send limited time with Mr.Gary, but what I can say is that this was a great man of words. I am so sorry and my prays go out to all the other family and freinds.
Derrick Abney
December 15, 2014
Karen and family Dave and I so deeply sorry for your loss Gary has left a great legacy. we all enjoyed his knowledge and his great stories, wish I was there see you soon Karen love to all Roxie
Roxie Doucha
December 15, 2014
Dear Drinkwater family, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this challenging time. Mr. Drinkwater is a wonderful man who has touched the lives of many- he will be missed!
David Simon
December 14, 2014
I was proud & honored to be his Company Commander & serve with him,combat Vietnam. George Crawford
December 14, 2014
Our hearts and prayers are with you, Aunt Karen, Amanda, Allison, and the rest of the family. We are so very sorry for your loss. I am thankful that we were able to get to know and be around Uncle Gary so much while you all lived in Garden City. He was always so kind and generous to me and my sisters. We send love to you all.
Caroline Drinkwater Eenigenburg
December 14, 2014
Karen, so very sorry to learn of this. My prayers are with you and your girls and their families.
Nedra Navage
December 14, 2014
Karen and family
I am so sorry for your loss. Gary was such a fine man. I will always remember his kindness and compassion shown to me during the days of the Vietnam War. He took time out of his short military leave to Baton Rouge to visit me - the wife of one of his helicopter buddies. That's the kind of man he was.
I will be praying for you and your family.
JoAnne Mansur Jumonville
December 14, 2014
Karen and family
I am so sorry for your loss. Gary was such a fine man. I will always remember his kindness and compassion when he took precious time out his short military leave during the Vietnam war to visit me- the wife of one of his helicopter pilot buddies.
I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
December 14, 2014
Mrs. Drinkwater,
I am sorry to hear of Gary's passing, my condolences to you and your family. Gary was a good person and was well respected by his fellow soldiers of the 170th AHC. Gary will be missed and not forgotten.
Carl Brader
December 14, 2014
So sorry Karen to hear of Gary's passing. Thoughts and prayers to you and the girls. Talk to you soon.
Nita Senour
December 14, 2014
Aunt Karen, Amanda & Rob and Allison & Samuel ~
The heartbreak will never go away, but the memories you have will help protect your hearts and eventually bring a smile to your face.
Uncle was so much to so many people but to me, he was my friend, my inspiration, someone I went to for guidance on just about everything in my life, he was a father figure to me, he was my hero!
To be able to say that everyone that knew him thought he was wonderful is not an exaggeration, it was truly a blessing to know him.
All the awards, medals and accomplishments in his life made him a hero to others and made his family very proud. Your husband and father was an amazing man, I am blessed to have had the relationship I have. I love you all and thank you for sharing him with us knowing his time was limited.
Love, Janet
December 13, 2014
Karen, My deepest sympathy to you and all the family. God bless.
Cliff LeBlanc
December 13, 2014
dear karen (KB),
I am so vey sorry to hear of the loss
of your beloved husband. 47 years
of love and memories will bring peace in your heart. You have been there for Gary every step of this journey and God will
be there for you always….
with sincere sympathy,
bunnie mitchell.
bunnie mitchell
December 13, 2014
Rest in Peace my Brother. You fought long and hard. We know your looking down on us with that warm smile and Cajun humor. Until we meet again.
Tom Carrell
December 13, 2014
Gary RIP you are now flying your Huey in the sky above watching out for all of us. I was honored to have served with you in the 170th Assult Helecopter CO in Kontum Vietnam 70-71. Rest in peace brother until we meet again.
Dennis Kunkel (Gunner and Crewchief)
December 13, 2014
RIP Gary and thanks for your leadership and humor during our Morgan City days at McDermott.
Karen, Prayers and thoughts are with you, Allison, Amanda and family.
Bob & Lisa Gilmore
December 13, 2014
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