Gary I. Rosenthal, born on September 13, 1932, in St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away on December 31, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Central High School in 1950 and Dartmouth College in 1954, where he studied economics.
From 1954 to 1956, Gary served as a Lieutenant JG in the U.S. Navy. During his service, he had a stint from San Francisco, California, to Japan and later became the postmaster for the Great Lakes naval station in Chicago, Illinois.
In 1956, Gary returned to St. Joseph and joined his family’s business as a third-generation hatmaker. He worked as a salesman and eventually became the President of Stevens Hat Company and later Stetson Hats. Gary retired in 2019, having thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the business.
Gary married Nancy Krauss in San Francisco in 1957, and they later divorced. He then married Marian Levy Kaufman in 1976. Gary enjoyed playing tennis, being on the ocean, and acting in community theater plays. He was also a member of Temple Adath Joseph, where he served as President for a term. In 1994, Gary and Marian moved to Dallas, Texas.
Gary is survived by his three children: John Rosenthal, Debi Bush (Phil), and Jane Rosenthal (Dave Rein). He also has grandchildren Kate, Ben, and Jacob Rosenthal, Daniel (Melissa), Aaron and Isabella Bush, and Zoë and Jordan Rein. Additionally, he is survived by stepchildren Cheryl Freed (Billy) and Rick Kaufman (Cheryl), and grandchildren Tyler (Leslie) Freed, Russell Freed, Josh Kaufman, Jonah Kaufman (Katie), and great-grandchildren Maxwell, Caroline, and Betty.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Eleanor (Bubsy) Rosenthal, his wife of 43 years, Marian Rosenthal, daughter-in-law Susan Rosenthal, his lifelong family companion Vesta Vaughn, and many beloved cousins and friends. We will miss all the delightful nibbles and Dartmouth stories of his drives to Smith College.
May his memory be a blessing to all.
Services pending, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family requests no flowers be sent but instead suggests memorial contributions to the Open Door Food Kitchen or Alzheimer’s Assocation.
