Gary A. Bonness , 64, Minot, died Tuesday, February 2, 2010, in a Minot hospital.

Gary Allen Bonness was born March 4, 1945 in Minot, ND to Jesse & Frances (Allen) Bonness. He was raised on the family farm north of Minot and graduated from Model High School in 1963. Gary graduated from NDSCS in Wahpeton with a degree in Computer Science in 1965. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 and served in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1968. Gary then attended Bethany Nazarene College where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with degrees in Math and Computer Science.

On August 17, 1970 Gary married Cynthia Diane Thoreson in Minot, ND. They moved to Lawton, OK where Gary was employed by the Lawton School District. Gary implemented their first computerized scheduling and payroll system and Cindy taught Early Childhood Head Start.

On November 21, 1973, their first son, Eric, was born in Oklahoma City, OK. On January 22, 1975, their second son, Kevin, was born in Lawton, OK. In 1975, the family moved to Houston, TX where Gary was employed by Aramco Oil Company as a Systems Analyst. In March of 1980, Gary and Cindy moved their family to the family farm north of Minot, ND. On July 14, 1980, their first daughter, Kristen, was born and on June 3, 1982, their second daughter, Katrina was born, both in Minot, ND.

He served many years as a leader on the Eureka Township Board, School Board, Ward Co. Crop Improvement Board and many other roles that impacted his community. He served as a board member, teacher, and leader-by-example as a vital part of Minot First Church of the Nazarene.

Gary enjoyed farming as a family. He taught his family the value of hard work, servant hood, generosity, faith in God, and the joys of the simple things in life that have always been a part of the Bonness Family Farm. He loved his Lord, his loved ones, and his land, in that order.

Gary's loving family includes his wife of 39 years, Cindy; his sister Julie Best (Sandstone, MN); his children & grandchildren: Eric, Tonya, Caleb & Hannah Bonness (Rapid City, SD); Kevin, Angie & Noah Bonness (Minot, ND); Kristen Bonness & fiancé, Nick Richter (Fargo, ND); Katrina Bonness (Minot, ND); and his mother-in-law Phyllis Thoreson.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse & Frances Bonness, brother, Danny Bonness, father-in-law, Milton Thoreson, and many aunts, uncles & cousins.

Funeral service: Monday, February 8, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. at the Minot First Church of the Nazarene
Interment Service: Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND
Visitation: Sunday, February 7, 2010, from noon until 5:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: Memorials are preferred to the Minot First Church of the Nazarene.