Swisshome man remembered as a stellar fisherman

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Story Published: Mar 22, 2008 at 5:18 PM PDT

By Molly Blancett

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SWISSHOME - The small red church house right along the Siuslaw River seemed too small to hold all of Gary Wolgamott's friends and family and too fragile to handle the pain of his untimely death, but big enough to celebrate his full life.

Nearly a hundred people came from all over the northwest, from Idaho to right across the street, to remember Gary, a man who they say spent most of his life on the river.

"He was the fishing legend here," said longtime friend Ray Fowler.

"He was the best fisherman that I ever knew," said childhood friend Jim Tack.

And the rest of his life? Right here in Swisshome.

"I worked with him in '69 when he was between his junior and senior year in high school," said Fowler. "He was just a wonderful person."

Gary also spent time with with his son and three grandkids. And though still very young, they understand their grandpa is gone and wrote him letters that hung proudly at the funeral.

"I feel sad that you aren't here," writes the youngest one. "I've been crying about you."

Even the older ones can't seem to grasp why their friend is gone.

"I can't imagine anyone even not liking Gary, let alone hurting him," said Fowler. "He was just that kind of a person."

"Everybody is still kind of in shock, just wondering why a person can be sitting on his couch in his own home and has something as vicious as this happening to him," said Gary's brother Rick.

Gary was the third of four boys, three years older than Rick.

"We're as close as brothers can be," said Rick.

While there are few leads in the case, Rick said he has hope.

"We're just hoping and praying that whoever is responsible will be brought to justice," said Rick.

As mourners continued to filter in through the tiny church doors, the pictures of Gary fish or family in-tow reminded them that Saturday wasn't about sorrow but celebration.

"A celebration of life, yes, for Gary Wolgamott is what it is today."

The Lane County Sheriff's Office isn't saying much about the investigation into the 55-year-old man's death. There are no suspects at this time.

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