TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (WTXL) - Family and friends remember and honor 64 year old Gary Lyda, who was killed in a crash early Thursday morning in Leon County.
He was a man well loved by his community and the students and staff at Killearn Lakes Elementary school.
Gary Lyda was known as a hard worker and musician for his family and friends he was so much more.
They say he was a man who cared deeply for those he loved.
It's no secret Gary Lyda loved music.
"He was a walking encyclopedia of music. I mean I would throw out songs that I would be like 'oh he's not going to know that and hes like yeah I know that, I played that back in the day," said David Merck, Bandmate in Southern Latitude Band.
Those who knew him beyond the music and lights, like his wife Sandy and Southern Latitude band mate David Merck, knew of his kind heart.
" He was just a good man, a kind-hearted guy and a musician that you work with over the years, we can be some quirky people but Gary was certainly not that he had a heart of gold, " said Merck.
When he wasn't on the stage, Lyda was not only a elementary school maintenance worker, but a person the children looked up to, especially his grandson Ryan.
"Ryan i think said one time to Sandy, 'everybody wants to be in my class because Grandpa Gary brings us doughnuts....' and he was just that kind of guy, he'd give you the shirt off his back," said Merck.
While he’s no longer here, his love for people and music will live on.
"Gary always had time for the music, no matter what so I think for me that legacy for me is that I will never ever quit playing until I check out," said Merck.
Knowing that one day, they’ll play music together again.
"Just hang in there, and I'll be up there and we'll start doing it again, we'll start playing music because it ain't heaven if there ain't music," said Merck.
Lyda's funeral services will take place Tuesday, July 2, at 1 p.m. at the Abbey Funeral Home.
For more information you can visit https://www.abbeyfh.com/obituaries/Gary-Lyda/.
