Garry Edward Dabbs

Garry Edward Dabbs, 76, of Odenton, Maryland, went home to be with our Lord on May 13, 2023.

Garry was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania August 29, 1946 to the late Richard C Shaffer Sr and Lois Stormer. He was raised in Windber by his Mom Lois and stepfather Merle Dabbs Sr. He graduated from Windber High School in 1964 and enlisted in the Army August 1966.

Garry served with the 82nd Combat Engineers but deployed to Vietnam with the 77th Landing Clearing Team. He also took part in the 1968 TET Offensive in Long Binh which was one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War.  Garry was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal and National Defense Campaign Ribbon.

Garry worked 25 years for the Department of Public Works on Fort George Meade retiring in 2004. After retirement he participated in his favorite hobby of deer hunting. Known to his hunting friends as “The Deer Expert” one season he bagged 28 white tail deer which he generously shared with local food banks. Garry also enjoyed vintage car shows and won several trophies with his own 1936 Dodge Brothers coupe.

Garry loved nature and animals, particularly his Chihuahua LilyPup who passed away April 10, 2023. He adored “his puppy” as he called her and we like to imagine him up there with her on his lap.

Garry is survived by his wife Joy and brothers Don (Laura) Dabbs, Jerome, Pa, Bob (Debbie) Dabbs of St Paul, Minnesota, Richard (Colleen) Shaffer and Todd (Jeanne) Shaffer both of Johnstown, Pa. He was preceded in death by step brother Merle “Sonny” Dabbs Jr (d 2008), brothers William Dabbs (d 2013), Lester (Janet) Dabbs (d 2016), Charles Dabbs (d 2017) and Jay (Maureen) Dabbs (d 2022).

The family will receive friends at the Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A. on May 25, 2023, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Deale Volunteer Fire Department, Deale, Maryland.

Burial with military honors May 26, 2023 11am at Lakemont Memorial Gardens, Davidsonville, Maryland.