Milton "Gary" Gerhardt Lohmeyer, Iii

Milton Gerhardt Lohmeyer III, Gary, died peacefully the morning of December 14, 2021, in Plano, Texas, just days after being surrounded by his entire family.  After living with dementia over the past several years, his prayers for having his entire family together one more time were answered on Thanksgiving Day.

He was born June 25, 1941, in Craig, Missouri, to Milton and Madonna Lohmeyer.  His passion for music began at a very young age.  Before he ever directed a choir, he was singing in choirs starting from 5 ^th grade at Immanuel Lutheran School.  He started playing the organ at the church where his grandfather was the pastor while his grandmother and siblings cleaned the church on Saturday evenings.

Gary met his wife, Lynn Kohlhepp, at Concordia JC.  After falling in love, they married on June 22, 1974 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Lynn would become Gary’s greatest advocate, supporting him throughout his career in teaching and ministry. They would go on to have five children.

He received his diploma from Concordia High School in Seward, Nebraska.  He graduated from Concordia Teacher’s College also in Seward with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Gary’s love for teaching began at Detroit Lutheran High School East.  He continued his teaching career at Martin Luther High School, Concordia Junior College and Milwaukee Lutheran High School, all in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He launched his music ministry career with the ground-breaking group Joy, Inc: a group of college-aged musicians and singers. Led by him, Joy toured all over the country, performing contemporary Christian music at various churches from 1975-1985.  Inspired by Gary, many of these students are now in ministry, as well.  He continued this outreach concept later with high school students (from Milwaukee Lutheran HS) in a group he called The Christian Minstrels, that toured every summer.

Gary continued in music ministry, leading worship at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; St. Paul Lutheran Church, Flint, Michigan; Fellowship Ministries, Tempe, Arizona; and Concordia Lutheran Church, San Antonio, Texas, from which he retired.

Music, worship, and teaching were Gary’s passions.  He was known as “Pro” to his college students and he especially loved teaching high school students.  He produced and directed many musical performances such as, “The Champion”, “Celebration of Praise” and “Celebration of Christmas” (featuring Dave & Barb Anderson), and many other musicals.

Gary (or “Papa” as he is known by his grandchildren) is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lynn; his 5 children, Jennifer, Tricia, Thomas, Adam and Peter; his 4 grandchildren; and his 3 siblings. He joins his granddaughter, Heather Faith, in Heaven.

We all rejoice that he is singing with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to whom he dedicated his life.