Our beloved, Gayland Ray Kapavik, of China Spring passed unto heaven on Saturday, January 7th, 2017.

He graduated from University High School in 1970 where his charming and sweet personality gained him many lifelong friends. After graduating from business school, he began his computer operations career at CCS in Waco. After their closure in 1987, he worked for American Amicable until his untimely departure.

When he was in first grade at Meadowbrook Elementary, he met a very young girl named Lana who, in 1975, became his sweetheart, wife, best friend, and soul mate. He was a very proud Dad of daughter, Kari, and son, Jared, and always taught them to just be themselves.

Gayland had a great appreciation for historical places. His favorites were the Alamo and the Fort Worth stockyards. He loved drive in movies, classic TV shows, classic rock, and he would often be seen traipsing around a classic car show admiring the old hot rods. He watched Andy Griffith over and over, constantly mourning the loss of the values of the “old days”. His job at the historical Amicable Building was right up his alley too. Every time he passed by the building, he would point and say “Look, ALICO!”.

Never a pretentious man, Gayland was the “real deal” and what you saw was what you got. He thrived on family gatherings. He would tease everyone and get them going and then deliberately bow out to watch the drama that he created. His quick wit and laid back personality will be missed by all.

Survivors are wife, Lana; daughter, Kari Kapavik; son, Jared Kapavik; grandson, Sloan Kapavik; sister, Emily Cates; and a host of loved nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Rhae Kapavik, and brother, Michael Roe Kapavik.