Gary Lee Shilts 1943 - 2022
The adventurous spirit of Gary Lee Shilts left this earth for destinations unknown on February 2, 2022.
Gary was born in Kalamazoo, MI, on May 25, 1943. Anxious to see the world after graduating from West Aurora High School in 1961, Gary joined the Air Force which sent him to Darmstadt, Germany. When he arrived Gary knew only one German word, "guten tag," (good day) which he said to everyone he passed on the street. He worked to memorize people's responses to his greeting, and phrase by phrase he became fluent in German. Over the years, he also became fluent in Spanish which he used to better serve his clients, and he was also far less fluent but no less interested in Italian, French, and Russian, which he would try with anyone who spoke it.
After his time in the service, Gary traveled throughout Europe and North Africa. One memorable story he shared, was that while staying with a hospitable family in Morocco (and sharing the front room of the house with a horse) he noticed a European car slowly drive by with the back passenger window open just a crack. "That person went home and said they traveled in North Africa, but did they REALLY," Gary would say.
After his time as a traveler, Gary attended The John Marshall Law School in Chicago and moved to Aurora, IL, where he put down deep roots as an attorney for more than 45 years serving clients in Kane, Will, DeKalb, Kendall, and DuPage counties from his office on Lake St. in Aurora and later, Montgomery. Gary had two daughters, Elizabeth and Victoria who both spent time working in his office.
Inspired by his love of politics and his disdain for taxes, Gary ran for governor of Illinois in 1986 on the Libertarian ticket. He didn't win, but that was never the point. Gary regarded every small town parade, and campaign stop as a big adventure.
Gary met his soulmate Judy and together the adventures continued. Overnighting with penguins on Antarctica, polar bear spotting in the Arctic sea, walking along the Ganges in India, and tying the knot in international waters with a sea captain in a Speedo presiding - there were not many roads Gary left untraveled.
Gary is missed by his loving wife Judy, daughters Elizabeth Smith (Kristopher) of Honesdale, PA, and Victoria Shilts of Sycamore, IL, and stepdaughter Serina (Brooke) Newlin of Bastrop, TX. He is survived by 7 grandchildren, his brothers Reed Shilts (Dawn) and David Shilts of Kalamazoo, MI, as well as 2 nieces. Gary is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his brothers Randy Shilts, Dennis Shilts, and Ronald Shilts.
A gathering will be held May 1, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. with a memorial celebration of Gary's life well-lived following at 2:00 p.m. at the Dunn Family Funeral Home, 1801 S. Douglas Road, Oswego, IL 60543. In lieu of flowers, guests are invited to bring a written personal memory or story that describes Gary's singular personality. A box will be available to collect stories.