There are some people who are legendary. This could be thought of as hyperbole; however, if the response to Gary Oliver’s passing was a testimony to Gary’s extraordinary existence then … there you have it. Some folks say all you can ever leave behind is love. In the end, that is indeed the case. I am writing this to thank everyone for reciprocating all love Gary shared in magnitudinal proportions.
The love this community shared was incomparable. Gary’s memorial had folks from the ’60s (his cousins), ’70s One Knite cast and crew, plus the ’80s protesters keeping nuclear waste out of Sierra Blanca, and many locals (musicians, movie-goers and folks from all walks of life). The newspaper interviewed many people over many hours and compiled a fabulous tribute. All the stories had an overarching theme of unconditional love.
I bow to all who unabashedly expressed their love for Gary. When one commits a life to inspiring peace, joy and love we never want to see them stop. I’d like to believe the legend lives with each of us carrying on the legacy. Please know I am eternally grateful for the support in honoring the phenomenon we knew as Golliver.
Annette Mendoza
Marfa
P.S. I can’t name everyone who brought food, but I want to thank anyone and everyone who carried me through my grief thus far: Marfa ISD students and staff who sent Marfa Blooms bouquets, the City of Marfa, and the Marfa Public Library staff, since they worked as hosts/extended family.
_____
Dear Editor,
Gary Oliver was my friend. I didn’t have the courage last Saturday at his memorial celebration to stand at the microphone and speak. It was wonderful, though, to hear the many eloquent people who traveled far to reminisce about Gary that day. It broadened my appreciation for the generous, kind, brilliant but modest man we have all lost.
My primary interaction with Gary was through the fantastic, library film program he spearheaded. His dedication to showing movies every week was incredible –– the deep research, the hundreds of email announcements he generated, the continuous upgrading of the equipment and theater space, and the wide range of films he showed from serious documentaries, obscure foreign films to Marvel blockbusters and popular and not-so-popular series. We shared a special enjoyment for the quirky films of Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki. I enjoyed a 20-year course in film history through being a regular attendee. Of the 3,000 films he showed I think I saw at least 2,000 of them. As I said every night when leaving the theater, “Thank you, Gary!”
Valerie Arber
Marfa
