APPLETON - Gary Telford, 16, of Appleton, died on Sunday as the result of a motorcycle accident.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, 10:30 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Appleton with Pastor Barbara McKewin and Pastor Mary Pauluk officiating.
Visitation will be on Thursday, 5-7 p.m., at Zniewski Funeral Home-Vaala Chapel in Appleton and continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday morning.
Gary Thomas Telford was born on Aug. 24, 1992, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa Jay and Patti (Lacrone) Telford. He was baptized in Springfield, Minn. Gary attended Reede Grey Elementary School at Redwood Falls, Springfield Elementary and High School, and was currently a student at Lac qui Parle Valley High School. Before moving to Appleton he worked at Lang's Meat Market in Springfield and was now employed at Don's Food Pride in Appleton.
While attending school in Springfield Gary was active with the FFA, on the Knowledge Bowl team, the Boy Scouts, and placed fourth in the Scripp Spelling Bee team for Springfield. He was also active with the Methodist Church in Springfield and helped his mother at election time with the DFL Party. Gary enjoyed motorcycles, his cats, reading, computers, discussing politics, and taking trips with Fr. Dennis LaBat, Pastors Wayne and Mary Pauluk, Anastasia, and his sister, Jaylene. After graduating from high school Gary planned on joining the armed forces as a chaplain.
Gary was always so very serious about world events. While in school his sixth grade teacher gave him the nickname of "Mr. Speaker of the House" as Gary answered so many questions he had to move to the front of the room so other students could join the discussion. Gary expressed his wish to be an organ donor upon his death and his gift helped the lives of 46 other people.
He is survived by his father, Jay Telford, of Appleton; mother, Patti Lacrone-Telford, of Springfield; brother, Matthew (Lisa) Lacrone, of Dubuque, Iowa; sister, Jaylene Telford, of Appleton; grandparents: Charles Telford of Appleton and Gerald and Patricia Winger of Dubuque, Iowa; three nieces, two nephews; 16 aunts and uncles, godparents, Bob and Marlys Vanderwerf of Springfield, and several cousins and other relatives.
He is preceded in death by his grandmother Romana Telford and his great-uncle Ray Telford.
