Gary Eugene McDermott’s life embodied the spirit of human rights for all people. Gary at the age of 75 passed away peacefully, with his wife, Cindy, by his side, on Saturday, February 22, at Mercy One Hospital in Clinton. Visitation for Gary will be Friday, February 28th from 4:00 – 7:00 pm and 10-11:00 am on Saturday March 1st at the Pape Funeral Home followed by the Celebration of Life. Burial will follow at the Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Clinton.
Gary was born June 18, 1949 in Clinton to loving parents, Donald & Mary Bernadine Donahue McDermott. Gary found a love of driving and working on vehicles and became a self-taught mechanic. His favorite car was a baby blue 57 Chevy. After graduation, he served as a Crew Chief, Mechanic, and Door Gunner on Chinook helicopters for the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. He was very proud of his service to our country. After an honorable discharge from the Army, Gary worked as a heavy equipment operator in the Albuquerque NM area. He became a certified Volkswagen/Porsche mechanic also and worked several places. Gary became a quadriplegic due to a diving accident. He of course learned to drive with hand controls. He went on to earn a Bachelor Degree in Social Work. He also did graduate studies at the University of Iowa. Gary worked for Compliment Vans selling vehicles with adaptive equipment for the mobility impaired. He also worked with Pelham Bros on the installation of adaptive equipment.
Gary became an advocate for the needs of people with disabilities and attended multiple conferences learning all he could about the American with Disabilities Act to further access for all. This became his passion. He was a member of the following committees: Iowa Olmstead Consumer Taskforce, Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Council, Iowa Disability Prevention Council, City of Clinton ADA Commission / Chair, City of Clinton ADA Commission / Chair, Clinton County ADA Commission, Vets First – Policy Committee Member – United Spinal Association.
Gary also performed duties as Chair of Iowa Commission of Persons with Disabilities, Vice President Iowa Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) (2 yrs), President Vaughan Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) (Chicago, Il) (8 yrs), National Director, National PVA, Washington, DC (8 yrs), PVA Field Advisory Committee, Review of VA SCI Centers with Government Oversight, 2000 Expert Witness US Department of Justice Housing Discrimination, 2014 Class Action lawsuit with Kum & Go for Discrimination & Non Compliance of ADA Suit Settlement, requiring ADA Compliance of 412 Stores in 11 States, Wrote/Advocated ReFueling Assistance Legislation SB 1238 2007-2016, 2011 Testified before Illinois Capital Commerce Committee.
Gary also received many distinguished awards including: Governor’s Award 1999, Disabled Iowan 1999, Disabled Clintonian 2000, PVA Dwain Taylor Volunteer Award, 2005, Advocate of the Year Award 2014, Illinois Iowa Center for Independent Living, Advocacy Award 2015 for 25th ADA Anniversary, Des Moines 2004 Speedy Award, Vaughan Chapter PVA, Chicago, 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award, Vaughan Chapter PVA, PVA Voluntary Hours Award 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 State of Illinois, Dept. of Veterans Affairs Award 2004, 2006, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Worker and 2024 Clinton Human Rights Commission Award
Gary has always been active as an advocate for people with all disabilities on many levels. He has affected and implemented change for the better over the last 51 years that he has been wheeling. Being visible and fighting for inclusion has impacted numerous arenas in the community and beyond. The quality of a man’s life is measured by how deeply he has touched the lives of others; this describes Gary well.
Gary McDermott and Cindy Mootz were partners in time since 1985. They created a beautiful life together and were united in marriage in 2016. They enjoyed traveling to many destinations, camping, boating and photography. Gary participated in the National Veterans Wheel Chair Games and the National Veterans Air Rifle Competition obtaining many Gold and Silver Medals. He recently resumed hunting deer and turkey. Cindy was his constant cheerleader and there by his side for it all working as a team.
Gary is survived by his wife Cindy; children, Gail (David) Eddy of Fox River Grove, IL, Shawn McDermott of Clinton, grandchildren, Cassie Krupa (Danny Machado), Curtis Krupa, Cate Krupa and Michael McDermott-Graves (Ashley Felix). Great Grandchildren Julian, Natalia and Romeo, Coral Flynn Graves. Mother-in-law Bernice Mootz, sisters-in-law Carol (Gaylon) Truelsen, Connie (Allen) Schroeder, Cathy (Julian) Stahl and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Kathleen Wilson and brother-in-law Bob Wilson and father-in-law Emil Mootz.