Gary Storch

Gary Ira Storch (80) of Taos, NM (born in Brooklyn, NY) passed away on 8/5 at home, surrounded by his family and dogs. Gary lived with stage 4 metastatic cancer for nearly 3 years, and during that time he kept a positive attitude and enjoyed every day to the fullest.

He is survived and loved by his wife of 54 years, Donna, his daughters, Ariel Gustafson (Erik), and Aleta Storch (Derick Lester), his favorite and only granddaughter, Neva Lynn Gustafson, his nephew Mark Storch (Angela and daughter Zoe), close family friend, Allan Wilcox, and his 2 beloved dogs, Reba We’ll See and Cash.

Gary was a veteran, having served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. This experience shaped his beliefs and kept him politically informed and active throughout his life. He was truly a patriot and remained an outspoken defender of unconditional human respect and social justice.

Gary and his wife Donna officially settled in Taos in the late 70s, where they built their home, raised their 2 daughters, and adopted many dogs over the years.

Gary’s greatest loves in life were his family, music, & travel. He had the biggest, softest heart for animals, and never turned away a dog, cat, bird, or even a piglet in need.

Gary has degrees in wildlife and animal science from SUNY and NMSU and worked as a wildlife biologist for over a decade. He then spent many years skiing and working at Taos Ski Valley. Gary was always an entrepreneur and businessman at heart. He started Taos Mountain Satellite out of his pickup truck in the early 90s and developed it over the years into the popular and successful Taos Mountain Electronics company.

For the last several years, DJ Gary hosted his weekly Friday morning music show, “Anything and Everything” (where you never knew what you were going to get) for the local radio station, KNCE. It filled him with so much joy to share his passion for music with his listeners.

Gary’s smile would light up the room. He always made friends everywhere he went, enjoyed talking with anyone and everyone, and was connected to so many people in (and outside of) the Taos community. He was big-hearted, hilarious, generous, and never afraid to be exactly who he was.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered, as a husband, father, grandpa, uncle, friend, mentor, boss-man, dog-whisperer, radio DJ, and more.

A celebration of life will be planned, (and posted here as well as on social media), at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: NMDOG, or the TeamWorks program at TEENS, Inc. To honor Gary, the family suggests putting on your favorite Americana song at full volume, and thinking of him with all of your love.

**NOTE***

Please join us in remembering and celebrating the life of Gary Storch, who passed away on 8/5/2023. The family will be hosting a memorial on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 12-3pm at Daleee / KTAO Solar Center (9 State Road 150, El Prado, NM). The service will begin at 12:30pm, with a celebration to follow.

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com