Gary John Serville Sr.

Gary John Serville Sr., aged 77, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 14th, at home, surrounded by his loving family. Gary was born December 11th, 1947, in Kansas City, KS to Eugene and Mary Serville.

In his early years, he grew up in Strawberry Hill in KCK with his older sister Bonnie Holzer, and parents Eugene (Gene) and Mary (Mitzi). The family moved to North Kansas City for a few years before eventually settling in Gravois Mills.

He spent his youth enjoying time at the Lake of the Ozarks fishing and playing sports. He played Iron Man Football and baseball, was a pole vaulter for track, and did gymnastics. While a catcher on the high school baseball team, he was scouted by the then, Kansas City Athletics. But after an incident in his sophomore year of high school involving skipping school to see a movie, he was suspended from all extra-curricular activities. It was during that time that he discovered his love of playing pool.

After graduation and some college, Gary joined the Navy, playing trumpet in the band. After the Navy, he went to barber school where he started his profession that would last until within 6 months of his death.

He met and married in 1970 his first wife, Sherry. They met through work at The Sportsman Inn Restaurant owned by his parents. Their marriage produced Gary’s first child, Angela Bax.

Gary met his second wife, Zona, of nearly 50 years, in 1974, at a hair show in Independence, MO. They married August 5th, 1975, and have spent their life together in the KC Metro area. Gary and Zona’s marriage produced four children: Gary Serville Jr., Amanda Branch, Genevieve Buys, and Laura Serville. As a family, they loved to watch movies together and had probably seen every movie in Blockbuster in the 90s. He also coached his son’s baseball team and worked on pool skills with all his children.

He was quite the entrepreneur and had many businesses including Gary’s Turning Point Barber shop, gas stations, GaZoBo’s Pool Hall, and New Boulevard Looks Hair Salon. He spent his spare time playing pool, bowling (with a 277 average), fishing, playing guitar, and as an avid golfer.

As his kids continued to grow, they one by one all met and married their special someone. Gary was ecstatic to add to the family again. He was happy to have a new daughter-in-law when Gary married Bridget Serville. He was fortunate to also have four sons-in-law as Angela married Tom Bax, Amanda married Rick Branch, Genevieve married Kory Buys, and Laura married Brian Freymuller.

Gary, then semi-retired, enjoyed more time golfing and being with his 13 living grandchildren: Bethany (Bax) Gardner, Paul Bax, Allysa Serville, Hunter Serville, Sloane Serville, Jared Serville, Jonathan Branch, Sebastian Branch, Mary Branch, Kristian Buys, Kohen Buys, Kellen Buys, and Kai Serville. His family grew even larger when his granddaughter Bethany married Jay Gardner. He was lucky to be a great-grandfather to two: Osiris Serville, and Nora Gardner. He loved all of his grandchildren dearly and tried to attend as many of their events as possible including soccer, basketball, baseball, and football games, as well as art exhibitions, vocal performances, swim and wrestling meets, and plays. He also helped teach his grandsons how to play golf and guitar.

He learned of a new half-brother, Michael Siverly in 2020, and was thrilled to finally have a brother.

Gary is preceded in death by both parents Gene and Mitzi, his sister Bonnie, and grand-daughter Ella Buys.

A visitation is to be held Monday, December 30th at 1:30 PM at East Independence Church of Christ at 2020 RTE 291, Independence, MO 64057, with funeral services immediately following. Gary’s family would like to invite everyone to a Celebration of Life after the service at Grains & Taps Home Brew: 310 SW Blue Pkwy, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063.