Lightning victim held three jobs

Gary Missi described as man who would do anything for family

Felix Doligosa Jr., Rocky Mountain News

Friday, June 23, 2006

LONGMONT - Gary Missi had three jobs and slept only a few hours each night to help make ends meet.

While riding his motorcycle home from work Wednesday, a lightning bolt came crashing down on him.

The Longmont man, who was killed in the accident, often juggled several jobs to provide for his wife and two children, his family said.

"He felt it was his responsibility," his sister-in-law, Julie Gehring, said Thursday. "He loved his family more than anything."

Missi, 46, was westbound on U.S. 36 between Sheridan and Church Ranch boulevards just after 5 p.m. when witnesses saw a large flash and heard a loud boom.

"I saw this big flash of lightning, and then I heard the sound - it sounded like a bomb," said tow truck driver Jim Leitelt. "It was really super loud."

The lightning caused debris from the asphalt to fall onto passing vehicles, but no one else was hurt.

After the strike, Missi's motorcycle continued at high speed for 150 more yards before hitting the median. He was then thrown from the yellow Suzuki.

"I noticed the pavement coming up, and I saw something going over the center barricade," Leitelt said. "People started pulling over with shocked looks on their faces."

Leitelt radioed for help.

"One man jumped over the barricade to see if he could help," he said. "But (Missi) was already dead."

It's unknown whether the lightning or the trauma sustained in the accident caused Missi's death.

"This just doesn't happen to people," Gehring said while standing in front of Missi's home.

Still, she said, Missi "went out in style."

Family members remembered Missi as a man who would rather listen than hear himself speak. He loved to fish and ride his motorcycle, they said.

Missi was born in Scottsbluff, Neb., in 1959. He and his wife of 27 years, Mary, moved to Colorado in 1992.

The couple had two children, Jamie, 25, and Dustin, 19.

During the technology boom, Missi landed a good job as a computer technician. But in 2003, he lost his job when the economy soured.

Afraid of being unable to provide for his family, he looked for work wherever he could.

He got a job at an Autozone and recently worked at Arete Industries Inc. in Westminster, his family said. He also delivered newspapers.

"He would have done anything for (his family)," Gehring said. "His love for his family fueled him."

On Thursday, Missi's former co-workers at Home Depot came by to offer their condolences. Autozone workers stopped by to say they will miss him. And an employee from a nearby gas station remembered Missi as a great man.

"There (were) so many people that we didn't think Gary knew or how many he's touched," said Gehring.

A memorial fund has been established to help his wife and family. Donations can be made to the Gary Missi Memorial Fund at any First Bank location.

Thoughts and condolences can be sent to missi_family@yahoo.com.

Lightning victim

• Gary Missi, 46, was killed Wednesday when he was driving his motorcycle and lightning struck.

doligosaf@RockyMountainNews.com