Gary Richard Lund (KAØLAH)
June 8, 1965 – August 24, 2026

Gary Richard Lund, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and friend, went home to be with the Lord on August 24, 2026, at the age of 61, following a long battle with diabetes and its complications.

Gary was born on June 8, 1965, to Leonard Lund and Janet Lund Johnson. Throughout his life, he combined creativity with a fascination for technology and communications. He spent his professional career in the sign and graphics industry, working in visual communication and graphic design. Even after retirement, his creative side never really retired with him.

Gary was a Christian whose faith in Jesus Christ was an important part of his life. His family takes comfort in knowing that his earthly struggles are over and that he is now at home with his Lord and Savior.

One of Gary's lifelong passions was amateur radio. Known on the air by his call sign, KAØLAH, Gary spent more than four decades involved in radio and communications. From HF to VHF and UHF, satellites, repeaters, emergency communications, hamfests, and Skywarn, amateur radio was far more than a hobby. It connected Gary with a community of people who shared his curiosity about radio, technology, and the simple pleasure of making contact with someone on the other end of the signal.

Gary also had a lifelong interest in computers, networking, electronics, NASCAR, photography, and graphics. He was the sort of person who wanted to know how something worked—and, quite often, how to make it work better.

Above everything else, Gary's life was centered on his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Mercer Lund; his four children, Justin Pointe, Jeremy Lund, Whitney Lund, and Mary Rose Lund; his three stepdaughters, Christiana Mercer, Charlotte Rowen, and Michelle Moore; his six grandchildren, Ava Pointe, Julia Rowen, Jachin Rowen, Jediah Rowen, Janine Rowen, and Janie Bell; his mother, Janet Lund Johnson; and his brother, Daniel Lund. He is also survived by extended family and friends who were an important part of his life.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Lund.

Gary faced considerable health challenges during the later years of his life. He met those years with persistence, humor, faith, and determination. Even during difficult stretches, he remained interested in the world around him, his family, technology, radio, and whatever new project happened to catch his attention.

Those who knew Gary will remember a creative and inquisitive man who loved his family, valued his faith, and could move comfortably between the old-fashioned world of radio and the newest piece of technology. He appreciated experience, practical knowledge, and doing things the right way—but he never stopped learning something new.

For his friends in the amateur radio community, the call sign KAØLAH is now silent, but the friendships and memories made across the airwaves remain.

Gary has made his final journey home—not over the airwaves, but into the presence of the Lord he trusted.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23

73, Gary. Until we meet again.