Gary Lee Markley

Gary Lee Markley was born in Oakland, CA to June and George Markley on November 27, 1942 and left us June 12, 2025 at Sutter Santa Rosa Hospital with his daughter, Cassie, by his side. He is preceded in death by his parents.  Gary is survived by his daughter Cassie (Kevin) Nichols, bonus daughter Melissa (Casey) Pickford-Ladner, grandson Nick Nichols, and many nieces and nephews. 

Gary’s family moved to Santa Cruz, CA after he was born and he grew up on a ranch on Glen Canyon Road in Santa Cruz. They raised chickens, rabbits, pheasants, fruit, and vegetables.  Gary attended San Jose State for a time before working for a Stanford research lab.  He then focused on travel and opened an art gallery, the Emperors Gate, in Sausalito.  He later settled in Westport, CA, creating Calico Farm, in the early 70s where he raised llamas until the mid-2010s.

Gary was a craftsman, who was skilled in woodworking and a jack of all art trades.  He had many hobbies including ceramics, beekeeping, mechanics, photography, and rockhounding. He planned then constructed the barn for his farm, and always had a craftsman project he was working on. Gary was a runner in his youth and enjoyed hiking/and camping.  He was also passionate about access to public lands and public roads, including Cahto Rd, believing in the ability to access rivers and evacuation routes. 

Gary was a geologist at heart and enjoyed geologic formations and hunting for rocks.  Following the immediate recovery from hip surgery, when he was about 70, he found himself stopping by the river for a hike on his way home because he wanted to go and make sure that he could.  He served many offices for the Mendocino Coast Gem and Mineral Society, and loved sharing about his rock adventures and teaching the next generation in all trades. 

In loving memory, be outside, go on a hike, take a camping trip, protect public access, look for rocks, visit the gem and mineral society shop on a Tuesday, or Saturday, or their Gem and Mineral show Labor Day weekend in Fort Bragg.   

In lieu of flowers please send any donations to the Mendocino Coast Gem and Mineral Society.   

A celebration of life will be held on August 2nd at 17300 Franklin Rd, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 from 2-5 PM.  All are welcome to attend. Please bring a dish if you wish, and dress casual or with your best rockhounding outfit.  More information is available here: http://www.mcgms.org/memorial

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