Gary Patrick Viktorin

Gary Viktorin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many passed away at his home on August 6th, 2024.  After a brave battle with cancer, Gary is now resting peacefully in Heaven with those who have preceded him, including his father (Frank Viktorin), mother (Dolores Viktorin), maternal grandparents (Earl and Lucy Callahan) and paternal grandparents (Frank and Marcella Viktorin).

Born January 16, 1954, Gary spent his youth in the Austin area, attending Catholic school at Holy Cross and St. Ignatius before eventually graduating from Del Valle High School in 1972.  He then attended the University of Texas, where he received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and obtained his CPA license.  Shortly thereafter he married the love of his life, Debbie Mullen Viktorin, in 1978.  After a brief stint in Houston early in his career, Gary and Debbie returned home to Austin where he went to work for the family business (Callahan’s General Store) founded by his grandfather Earl. For nearly 40 years, Gary devoted himself to the family business, handling all the finances for Callahan’s and its associated ventures before eventually retiring.   In the midst of their young lives, Gary and Debbie settled into their cherished home, adjacent to the extinct Pilot Knob volcano in South Austin and began their most beloved journey of raising a family. For years, Gary and family lived “across the street” from his parents (Frank and Dolores), allowing for many treasured parent and grandparent memories and further cementing the family bonds.

Gary was many things to many people, but a lovable and caring soul to all.   He was a big kid at heart, and it was nearly impossible to cross paths with Gary and not immediately smile. Only Gary could deliver his never-ending supply of puns and corny jokes in a manner in which they never grew old or tiresome.   His classic line of “How long have you been a squirrel??” is ingrained into the minds of nieces, nephews, cousins and grandchildren even into adulthood. Above all, Gary had the biggest heart, and he would do anything for his family and friends that he loved so deeply.  He loved his simple life and never took any of the “little things” for granted.  The role he was most proud of would be that of “Grandpa”, where he loved nothing more than spoiling his grandchildren with sweets of all types and numerous “shopping sprees” at Bucee’s.  He adored and cherished his grandchildren.  They uplifted his spirits and brought him the most joy during the health challenges he experienced in his final months.

Outside of family, Gary had other joys in life including the Yankees, The Beatles, casinos (he had many unexplainable lucky streaks), impromptu dice games (where he was often successful in winning money from the young college-aged friends of his children) and UT football (to the chagrin of his Aggie children).  He never saw a Miller Lite that he wouldn’t drink or a sweet that he wouldn’t eat.  He was an accomplished baker (licking his fingers throughout the whole process), and his Christmas cookies were legendary amongst family and friends.  It wasn’t uncommon for Gary to bake over 100 dozen cookies of all types during the holiday season, and you felt blessed if you were on his cookie tray delivery list.  It was a constant debate as to which of his cookies were the best, though the debate was really for his 2nd best cookie (with Chocolate Chip being the obvious first choice). Cookies were one of Gary’s most special ways of showing his family and friends how much he truly loved them.

While we will miss Gary deeply, it is with great comfort to know that he is now resting in eternal peace in Heaven and free of the many physical challenges he experienced in response to the grueling cancer treatments he undertook with such courage and conviction.  The family would like to extend special gratitude and thanks to the doctors and care team at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, whose expertise and compassion provided much comfort during Gary’s cancer treatment.  Heartfelt thanks also go out to Gary’s brother, Brian and sister, Debbie, who answered the call 24/7 to be ready to jump on a moment’s notice during multiple health scares, and who also provided continual comfort and support to Gary over the many days spent in the hospital.  Finally, Gary knew that he would not have had the peace and comfort in his last months without the care of the love of his life, Debbie.  Debbie proved that when it comes to love, there is no better example of “in sickness and health” than the care she provided.  Gary left this world knowing that there was no greater love than what Debbie showed to him on a daily basis over their 46 years of marriage.

Celebrating Gary’s life and mourning his passing are his wife, Debbie; brothers, Mark (wife Lee Ann), Bobby (wife Carol), and Brian; sister, Debbie (husband Steve); son, Jeff (wife Tara); daughter, Jenny (husband Ross); and grandchildren, Gracie, Julia, Madison and Smith.  Gary is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles and aunt who all loved him dearly.  Services and Celebration of Life for Gary remain pending.  In lieu of flowers, the family would ask any memorial donations desired on Gary’s behalf to be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center.