Gary Champion Barrera

Hastings, Nebraska resident, Gary Barrera passed away on December 12, 2024, at home following several health challenges in recent years.

Gary is survived by his loving family including his mother, Vivian Sullivan of Hastings; brother, Kenneth Barrera of Hastings; wife, Sue of Hastings; niece, Angelica Barrera of Hastings. Many family members including uncles, aunts, and cousins in Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and Texas have sent their heartfelt condolences to Gary's immediate family and we wish to recognize them here. While no memorial service is scheduled, Gary's wishes were to be remembered for his life goals and accomplishments. You can share your memories at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

Gary was born on April 18, 1957,  in Valdosta, Georgia to the Vivian Champion Family. Gary passed away on December 12, 2024 in Hastings, NE.

The Champion name was associated with the art of growing pecans under the Georgia sun. Gary's family heritage not only lay in growing pecans, Gary's family was a military family and military families are frequently on the move. Heading north they settled at the Naval Ammunition Depot outside of Hastings. As a young adult Gary set his sights to exploring the coast of California. Over the years he built a strong collection of California natives whose friendships have lasted to this day. Breaking into a clan of native Californians can be a real achievement. Gary was proud to call his California friends his best friends. 

Gary's ties to Nebraska were stronger over the years and drew him back home to spend the rest of his days working hard to make his Grandmother in Georgia proud. He devoted a huge portion of his adult life to improving the quality of life for people with both mental and physical disabilities. Gary looked to strengthen others abilities by starting an assisted living facility. Champion Homes was born. Gathering a collective of workers, he took in individuals who were looking for a safe place to live. He wanted to create an environment that fostered the skills of his employees and gave a good place for the people with disabilities to live. He created the Fourth of July backyard bar-b-que picnics that were loaded with yard games and food and prizes. People still remember his efforts. His family and co-workers stepped up and gave Thanksgiving feasts that featured the best mac & cheese corn bake ever.  People still ask for the recipe to this day. Being "Santa Claus" on Christmas mornings in December featured bags and boxes of gifts and stocking stuffers with goodies that really made a difference for those who came to live under Gary's wing. Luck would have it that a slew of Santa's Helpers would show up year round to bring sunshine and a feeling of family to the doorstep of what Gary tried to accomplish. Catholic Social Services came round to show support to the residents of Champion Homes. Fellow advocates, family members and interested parties would bring in goodness, be it the Easter Basket lady in the spring, the bicycle guy from Sutton, or the wonderful ladies from Alpha Delta Kappa at Hastings College. The Christmas Jingo game was complete with money and prizes. In the end you saw gifted winners hauling their collections upstairs to their rooms. Everybody likes to win! Alpha Delta Kappa made sure of that. Inspired family members of the residents would show up unannounced  and unexpected, out of nowhere, bearing treats and donations. Members of the Champion family from Georgia came through the door one Christmas with handmade comforters for everyone. Gary worked hard to create a string of connections that improved the quality of life for those who often became lost if not tended to by caring folks. Gary was one of those rare people that made things good for others in Hastings. Former residents will tell you so. 

Gary's employees were part of that flock where one could find the opportunity to blossom with skills that helped the residents of Champion Homes to thrive and live in a safe place. Food service workers, nurses in training, and fix-it guys all came together to create an environment that carried Gary's mission across the years. Gary never forgot that. He wanted to be the best boss anyone could ask for. 

Transitioning to transportation in later years, Gary was able to expand his scope of care to people border to border in Nebraska by driving them to the doctor, dentist, to the counselor and back, over short and long distances. Thee were times where he would pick up people in Morrill on the Wyoming border and drive them to Omaha and back over the course of three days. You would be hard pressed to find a better advocate than Gary. Gary even made the front page of the local newspaper participating in Stepping On Class with his mom demonstrating the progress one can make with rehabilitation. 

Fighting several health challenges became his battle ground in his final years. He was so proud to have served the community over the course of his life and he did it so well. He hopes his legacy will be one that folks here in Hastings will recognize and try to copy for years to come. People in need of support and kindness are found around every corner even in this part of Nebraska. Gary would want you to find those people in need and make plans to repair and restore kindness and support from chaos and confusion. It's in his family legacy and his story here. Remember Gary by taking the high road when life's challenges give you hurdles to leap and keep kindness first and foremost in your family and circle of friends.