Charles Gary Storke, 83, of Elkton, passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2025. Gary and his identical twin brother, Larry, were born on December 14, 1941 – 7 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Their parents were the late Charles Bernard Storke and Gladys Simmons Storke.

Upon graduation from Elkton High School in 1961, Gary worked as a Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Edgar Startt.  He worked at Acme Market for 36 years and held many positions from Receiving Clerk to Assistant Manager.  He joined Singerly Fire Co. on Dec. 7, 1959 and served faithfully for 65 years as a volunteer, Past President, Board of Directors and Lieutenant. In 2023 he was inducted into Harford Cecil Fire Fighter Hall of Fame. He also served in the Maryland Army National Guard 29th Division as a Specialist 5 from 1963 – 1969. This was during the Civil Rights unrest in the 1960s and he was deployed to Baltimore and Cambridge.

On February 13, 1971, he married the love of his life, Deborah Stanley, a marriage of 54 wonderful years.  In July 2005, Gary required life saving surgery and underwent a living kidney transplant with the donor of his new kidney none other than his daughter, Mollie.

In addition to Singerly Fire Company, other memberships included the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum and North East Decoy Museum, founding member of the Elk Landing Foundation, a member of American Legion Post 15, Elkton, as well as Eder-George 29th Division Association.  He was also a Trustee of the Historical Society of Cecil County

Gary was involved in public service his entire life and was glad to be involved in his community. In May 2002 he was elected by the Town of Elkton to serve as Town Commissioner where he served 2 terms.

His real passion was hunting ducks and geese and fishing with lifelong friends. He also  collected and carved decoys.

Gary was immensely proud of his children and their many accomplishments and his grandchildren were the apples of his eye.

Survivors include his loving wife, Deborah Stanley Storke, daughter Mollie Storke Graham and son Michael James Storke (Catherine), his 5 grandsons William, Riley and Nicholas Graham, and Connor and Owen Storke, and cousin Nancy Mann. In addition he was an uncle and great-uncle and will be missed dearly by all. His loyal feline friend, Charlie, was with him to the very end.

He was preceded in death by his dear brother, Larry, and sister-in-law, Judy, brother-in-law Phil Stanley, and many friends from the North Street Coffee Club.

Funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, May 29, 2025 at Hicks Home for Funerals, 103 W. Stockton St,. Elkton, 21921, where visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m.  Interment with military honors will be Elkton Cemetery, Howard St., Elkton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Historical Society of Cecil County or the Elk Landing Foundation in care of the funeral home at the above address.