SUFFOLK — Gary Shannon Cisco, age 56, stood and walked through the gates of heaven on Oct. 28, 2013, and into the arms of our Lord. He passed away peacefully at home in the presence of family and his beloved dogs. He is predeceased by his parents, Shannon and Kathleen Cisco, and brother “Joey.”

He was born in Pike County, Ky., and raised in the Suffolk area. He was a retired city of Suffolk employee whose career began as a firefighter until an unfortunate car accident in 1988. He continued his working knowledge of emergency response to become a recognized 911 emergency dispatcher. His never-ending strength and determination to live his life to the fullest despite obstacles has been an inspiration to many. He always kept a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. Gary enjoyed the great outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He was known to many for his love of firearms — a trait he inherited from his father.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife and high school sweetheart, Nancy; children, David, of Richmond, and Bryan, of Suffolk; brother, Gregory Jake Cisco, of Zuni; in addition to numerous other family and friends.

A graveside service conducted by Tim Rawls will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, at Bethlehem Christian Church Cemetery, 1549 Holland Road, Suffolk. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Project Lifesaver, 300 Kings Fork Road, Suffolk, VA 23434 or the charity of your choice.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the many wonderful health care professionals who have assisted Gary with life’s challenges, especially Dr. J. Craig Merrell and Dr. Rahel Amare. The wonderful nurses are too many to list, but the family would like to recognize Mary Dalton, Amy Salyers, and Lou Ellen Bass. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.