Gary Dean Kiefer

Gary Dean Kiefer was born October 29,1964, to Elizabeth “Betty” J. Kiefer and Walter G. Kiefer in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He spent about the first four years of his life there until his family moved to Beaumont, Texas, in 1968. He resided in Texas the rest of his life, living in Beaumont, Lumberton, Austin, and Houston. He was the third of his parent’s four boys. As you might could imagine there was a lot of rough housing and shenanigans in the house, he grew up in, but there was also love and perhaps a little discipline too. In 1983 he was part of the first graduating class of Westbrook Senior High School.

After high school, Gary had a variety of hobbies including, diving, league bowling where he was the Team Captain Crazy and Company and competing in streetcar competitions for both speed and sound. Those that knew him best knew he appreciated a good sound system both in his home and in his car. He was known to win many of these competitions in his treasured Mustang that he lovingly gave up once kids came into the picture. In 1990, he met the love of his life Karen Michelle Armintor, they were married March 16,1991. They had two kids Ashleigh in October of 1991 and Seth in December 1993. Fun fact, Karen was also part of a family of four children, all of which were girls, so he was the son Billie and Joe never had.

​Gary was a hard worker and good father and husband. He would sometimes work two or three jobs trying to ensure there was always food on the table and roof over his family’s head. He had an infectious laugh, was very smart, and hard working. He instilled a good work ethic in his children and always emphasized getting a good education as he never finished his college degree and he wanted more for his kids. Additionally, he also instilled in his kids to help others when you could. He would have given the shirt off of his back to anyone in need and would have never mentioned it was his last. He would just smile and wish them well. Speaking of his generosity and his knowledge and love for sound systems Gary also generously gave his time nearly every Sunday ensuring his church homes over the years had all of their sound needs met. He did this most recently at his church home Westgate Memorial Baptist Church where he even served on the committee to help secure new audio and visual equipment after the church lost theirs in a hurricane.

To each of his kids Gary was exactly what they needed him to be. Ashleigh was a daddy’s girl. He taught her not to put up with any guy’s crap, to respect herself, and to apply herself in school and in any place she worked. He encouraged her to be a leader and always encouraged her to follow her dreams. Some might say she had him wrapped around her finger and he would definitely agree.

Seth and his dad also had a very strong bond. They shared a love for video games, Star Wars, superheroes, and Lord of the Rings. He taught Seth to be a gentleman, and to take care of his mom and sister when he wasn’t around. He taught Seth that true integrity is doing the right thing even when nobody is looking.

​In 2017, Gary welcomed his son in law Matthew Engel into the family and treated him as if he were his own son. Gary and Matt shared a special bond and worked on many home projects together. No matter what the project was there was nothing too big or small for Gary to help with. He was always just a phone call or text away.

​In his later years Gary faced many demons with his mental health issues. He didn’t like to let on that he was struggling though. He always greeted people with a smile or a joke and was ready to lend a helping hand no matter what. He loved his family and his friends whole heartedly. His family urges everyone to take care of themselves and those in their life that may be facing these challenges.

​Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Walter Kiefer and his father-in-law, Joe Armintor. He is survived by longtime love, Karen Kiefer, of Lumberton; mother-in-law, Billie Armintor of Beaumont; his children, Ashleigh Engel and husband, Matthew Engel, of Texas City; and son, Seth Kiefer of Lumberton. He is also survived by his brothers, Walter Kiefer and wife, Kathleen Johnson, of Clear Lake; and David Kiefer and Michael Kiefer and his wife, Cyndy, all of Beaumont. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews and other extended family and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Westgate Memorial Baptist Church, 6220 Westgate Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, 747 Third Avenue, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10017 https://bbrfoundation.org/.

A gathering of Mr. Kiefer’s family and friends will begin at 3:00 p.m., with his memorial service to follow at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Westgate Memorial Baptist Church, 6220 Westgate Drive, Beaumont.

His cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.