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LA protests live: unrest continues into night as Trump deploys National Guard

LA protests live: unrest continues into night as Trump deploys National Guard

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Renowned architect, 80, spotted bagging groceries to pay off late wife's crippling medical debt
Renowned architect, 80, spotted bagging groceries to pay off late wife's crippling medical debt

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Renowned architect, 80, spotted bagging groceries to pay off late wife's crippling medical debt

An 80-year-old man who was an accomplished architect is now bagging groceries to pay off $80,000 of medical debt from his late wife's health struggles. Gary Saling, of St. George, Utah, had a brilliant career designing luxurious multimillion-dollar mansions for high-society clients. His extravagant work had even earned him a place on Architectural Digest's top 100 list. Despite his accolades and achievements, the title that meant the most to him was 'husband.' So when his beloved wife, Carol, was diagnosed with sundowner syndrome - a condition that amplifies dementia symptoms in the evening - in 2017, he devoted all of his time and energy to caring for her. While Carol's neurology appointments were covered by Medicare, her at home care was not. 'I made the promise to keep her at home and never put her in a nursing home because I took vows,' Gary told FOX 13. After a strenuous battle with the degenerative condition, Carol, who was an artist, passed away in 2021 - leaving Gary to grapple with the loss of his wife while tackling the astronomical debt she left behind. The hardworking widower got a job at a local grocery store, Smith's Market, to start chipping away at the tens of thousands owed. Bagging groceries and helping customers with a smile, community members began noticing Gary and wondering why he was still working at his age. 'I saw Gary bagging groceries, and I thought, "What's this guy, why is this elderly man still here?"' Duana Johnson, who runs a ministry in the neighborhood, recalled to FOX 13. Johnson started fundraisers to help ease Gary's financial burden. His GoFundMe has raised more than $1,900. She also set up a donation account for Gary at the State Bank of Southern Utah and a Venmo account, under the username @HelpGaryRetire with the verification code 2956, to garner funds on his behalf. 'We started a fundraiser and people have been messaging, saying that they see him all the time and they really love him. He's always nice, he's always kind, he's always greeting them and smiling,' Johnson told the outlet. She further elaborated on GoFundMe: 'My prayer is that we can raise the amount of money that was meant for Gary to retire that had to go into medical bills that have kept him in debt and basically is keeping him working "until he dies," as Gary puts it.' Adding urgency to the cause, Gary contracted infections in both of his feet and needs surgery, Johnson wrote. His condition combined with his age makes it difficult and uncomfortable for him to stand and move around all day. Gary grew up in Laguna Beach, California, with a single mother who he credits for his diligent work ethic. He had previously bagged and delivered groceries as a teen. He distinctively remembers taking groceries to actress Bette Davis' house. Gary said Davis had known his mother, who waitressed at the iconic Victor Hugo's restaurant in Beverly Hills. 'She said, "Because your mom has waited on me at Victor Hugo... How I know you're her son is you're just as much of a workaholic as she is,"' he recalled. He went on to pursue a glamorous architectural career in Hollywood. Gary had two children with his first wife, who divorced him in 1980 and left him with the kids. Gary finally met the love of his life in 1991, when he and Carol locked eyes at a stoplight. 'I mean, it was the exact instant. We both raised our sunglasses,' Gary said, gushing over their first encounter. The pair realized they had been going to the same coffee shop for decades without ever crossing paths. The store owner's wife caught wind of their infatuation with each other, and with some good-intentioned meddling, got Gary and Carol to mingle. 'She comes around the corner and she's crying and she goes "Gary, are you telling me you finally ran into Carol?"' the mourning husband told FOX 13. After sitting on a bench and chatting for three hours, the future husband and wife knew they were meant to be together. When Carol was diagnosed with her life-altering condition, the pair uprooted their lives and moved to southern Utah to be closer to her neurologist. Hiring in-home care quickly drained their savings. When Carol passed, Gary lost her social security as well. Gary is beyond grateful for the community's support, but maintains his humility, reiterating that he would do anything to fulfill the promise he had to Carol.

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