Crested Butte has always been a special place for me—a retreat where I’m fortunate to escape reality, spend quality time with my brother, get outside, and immerse myself in God’s beautiful nature.

It was a fitting spot to be when I received the news on Monday that Gary Huge had passed away. Gary knew Crested Butte well. He attended Western University in Gunnison, located roughly 30 miles away, and whenever I visit, I send him pictures of the mountain. His response was always the same: “THE BUTTE! Say hello to Oz at Flatiron Sports.”

The mountain has spotty cell reception, but as I was coming down the slopes, messages started coming through. I stopped to read the heartbreaking message from Cannon, who shared that he and Elizabeth were by their father’s side as he took his final breath and ascended to heaven.

It had been overcast all day, with high winds and bursts of snowfall. But in that very moment, the sun broke through the clouds, casting warm light on the distant mountains. I couldn’t help but think that this was Big Gare letting me know he was okay, at peace.

I used to joke with Cannon that Mare and Gare were my actual friends in our relationship. But I wasn’t kidding. The Huge family had essentially adopted me as their plus one.

I spent a lot of time with Gary after moving back to St. Louis in 2022. We had lunches at The Village Bar, happy hours at Billy G’s, and he would often visit Pasta House when I worked there. I was honored to help him with his food drive efforts in Wisconsin, and more recently, I drove his massive Cadillac Escalade from Sea Island, Georgia, to St. Louis for him. It was hard for me to say no to Gary, no matter the request.

Gary had a genuine, effortless sense of humor. We shared that classic locker room-type humor, full of inside jokes that go back decades, and they’ve helped me get through some of the toughest moments in the last few weeks. One moment, I’ll be crying, and the next, I’ll be laughing because a memory or story pops into my head. His humor was effortless, and it was damn funny.

Gary’s life was extended in 2019 by a successful liver transplant. Life wasn’t always easy after that, but his resilience was unmatched. He kept going—hosting gatherings, making people laugh, and, most importantly, cherishing the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Gary was always supportive. He took a real interest in my radio endeavors and told me when I moved to D.C., “Mary and I both feel that this is a great opportunity for you, with unlimited potential. You’ll do well in D.C.”

A day after I spent time with him, he texted me to make sure I was okay, as I wasn’t my usual self. “If there’s anything I can do, I’m all ears.” Gary had a big heart.

Most of us have had the privilege of taking a Streblow boat ride, enjoying a burger at Chuck’s, having a beer at The Inn Between, cruising in his VW van, or going to a Cards game or DMB concert with Big Gare. His energy was relentless, his personality infectious, and his generosity boundless.

Gary’s spirit will always live on. I’ll forever laugh at random things, appreciate his “ultra-chill” demeanor, and approach life’s challenges with more resilience, thanks to the wisdom he shared with me.

I’ll miss you, Big Gare. A lot. Keep an eye on us from up top.

God bless the Huge family.