Gary Driskell, 50, Independence, MO passed away February 23, 2008. A visitation will be held 6-8 PM, Feb 29, 2008 at Maywood Baptist Church,10505 Winner Rd, Independence, MO. A celebration of life will be held 10 AM, March 1st at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Gary Driskell Memorial Fund.
Gary was born June 13, 1957 in Independence, MO. He was a prominent Contemporary Christian songwriter, singer, and worship leader. Gary was the recipient of two Dove Awards and had songs featured on several gold and platinum recordings. He was a 1975 graduate of Truman HS, attended William Jewell College and Mid America Nazarene University. Gary played first base and pitcher for Queen City & Kiwanis and later coached little league baseball. He lived in Nashville, TN for eleven years, where he was under contract with Gaither, Star Song, and Word publishers.

He served as director of music for two years at First Church of the Nazarene in Hutchinson KS, and for thirteen years at Maywood Baptist Church in Independence MO. Gary devoted himself to a tireless study of worship: its origins, development , and impact.

Survivors include: parents, Joseph & Barbara Driskell, Independence, MO; wife, Debbie Driskell, of the home; son & daughter in law, Brian & Lori Driskell, Lee’s Summit, MO; daughter & son in law, Sarah & Gregg Sheldon, Omaha, NE, son, Joel Gregory Driskell, Independence, MO; sister & brother in law, Debra Jo & Robert Lynn North Manchester, IN, and several nieces and nephews. (arr. Heartland Cremation.

Kansas City Star
Mar. 13, 20080:15 PM

Tribute: Music was a passion and a career for Gary Driskell
By RUTH BAUM BIGUS
Special to The Star

Making music early on: Gary Driskell was born and raised in Independence in a musical home. Driskell’s mother, Barbara, was a piano teacher, and he began taking lessons in elementary school. His real connection with music happened in the eighth grade, when Driskell attended school half days because of overcrowding. He seized the opportunity of extra time to concentrate on music, said his father, Joseph Driskell.

At Truman High School, Driskell was in a band that often practiced in the Driskell family basement.

“In high school I began to see he had a really outstanding talent,” his mother added. “He would get up in the middle of the night, turn on his light and write something down before he forgot it.”

Driskell attended William Jewell College and MidAmerica Nazarene University. He continued writing music, by now in the Christian and gospel genre, which tied into his own strong personal faith.

Passion turns to career: Driskell took a chance on his music and moved to Nashville, Tenn., in 1983 and began writing songs. His first published song was “New Lives for Old,” which was recorded by Wayne Watson.

Barbara Driskell said her son was willing to work hard and do any job to make it in gospel music.

“He worked in the shipping department of the music company that published his songs, and he was even boxing up the music he wrote,” she said with a laugh.

Driskell won two Dove Awards in 1991 from the Gospel Music Association. The Dove Awards are the Grammys of the Christian/gospel music industry. Driskell’s song “Another Time, Another Place” won song of the year and pop/contemporary recorded song of the year honors.

He wrote hundreds of songs working under contract with Gaither, Star Song and Word publishers.

Family first: Married at 22, Driskell managed his music career while raising three children. Barbara Driskell said her son had the opportunity for his own recording career but made another choice instead.

“He was not going to leave his children … and I was glad he made that decision,” she said.

His work career also included serving as director of music for 13 years with Maywood Baptist Church in his hometown of Independence.

Driskell divorced but had a second chance at love when he met Debbie, then living in New York, through a Christian Internet site. “I knew of his work. My church performed a lot of his music,” Debbie Driskell said.

The two e-mailed for a while, then began to talk on the phone and then met face to face. They dated for three years before marrying in August 1998.

“I was in awe of his talent, but he was so humble. That’s what attracted me to him,” Debbie Driskell said.

Debbie Driskell was moved by her husband’s parenting ability.

“I saw him as a wonderful dad,” she said.

Survivors include: His wife, parents, two sons, one daughter, one son-in-law, one daughter-in-law, one sister and brother-in-law, several nieces and nephews.

The last word: “He was a very good teacher, and he was always willing to share his profession and his knowledge,” his father said. “He had a great ability to teach people how to sing.”

Dove Award Recipients for 1991:

SONG OF THE YEAR "ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE"; Gary Driskell; Word Music (ASCAP)
POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR "ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE"; Sandi Patti; Gary Driskell; Word