Gary Ota passed away in Clovis, CA on March 29, 2025.  He was born in Selma, CA on June 3, 1949 to Ken and Tokiko Ota.  His mother passed away before Gary turned two and Ken briefly raised him on his own.  Shortly after, the two moved in with Gary's aunt and uncle, Fujiko and Paul, who helped raise Gary.  Without any of his own siblings, he grew up closely with his cousins Glenn and Wayne.  Growing up in Selma, Gary played football and swam, but was also in a rock band playing the base guitar.  At age 13, he began lifeguarding and coaching swimming in the summers at the old Selma Pool in Berry Park.

This was the beginning of a 63-year career in coaching.  After a football knee injury his Junior year in high school, Gary was done playing sports and focused his energy on coaching, joining Jim Stevenson's staff with Chaos Swim Club in Selma.  As a career, Gary joined the USDA as a produce inspector, focusing primarily on raisins most of his 40 years.  Gary also spent a few years running the first video rental store in Selma - Holidae Home Video.  Along the way, he made countless friends at all the raisin plants, the USDA, and with all the people who came through the video store.  However, Gary's true passion was swimming.  From Chaos to Raisin Country Aquatics and Selma Aqua Bears to Immanuel High School, Gary was a head coach for over 30 years.  Afterwards, he had a second run as an assistant coach for Tule Nation Tritons, Clovis Swim Club and eventually Fresno State.  Gary coached thousands of athletes through his six decades around the pool.

Gary loved food as much as he loved swimming.  He always found the best places to eat in any city he visited or had a swim meet at.  From Chuy's in Austin, St Elmo's in Indy, Al's in Minneapolis or trying to find the best menudo places throughout Southern California.  Locally, Gary loved Sal's in Selma.  He and his boys went almost every weekend.  Through the years, his swimmers knew they could convince Gary to get out of practice for team dinners at Sal's, and most coaches knew Gary would have Sal's tamales on the deck whenever there was a swim meet on Sundays.  He also loved food at home.  Gary found any excuse to have an occasion to barbecue: tri tip, chicken wings, German sausage or even a turkey.

Food brought people together, and he loved being together with friends and family.  Gary had one daughter Tiffany from his first marriage to Linda; he had two sons - Kacy and Patrick - from his second marriage to Holidae.  He finally reconnected with his high school sweetheart Reggi who added two kids of her own from a previous marriage - Paul and Cori.  Even as their stepfather, he loved and cared for them greatly and they loved him as their father.  He is also survived by his eight grandchildren.  Tiffany and Shawn are parents to Kylie and Kiera; Kacy and Jennifer are parents to Koa and Kian; and Patrick and Razilee are parents to Alicia, Evan, Theo, and Marlene.

Gary lived a full life.  He helped raise five kids, and traveled them all over the world.  He journeyed with his family to Japan, Mexico, and all over the US.

He coached athletes to the highest levels, having athletes compete at US Olympic Trials, NCAA Championships, Goodwill Games, World Championships, and also had a world-ranked swimmer. He also had the honor to coach all three of his kids through their swimming careers.  Reggi and Gary spent the last 35 years together, celebrating 23 years of marriage.  They loved traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with their family.  Gary's caring nature, witty sense of humor, and lasting wisdom made him a gravitating force for his family and everyone who interacted with him.  He was loved by all and will be missed.  His impact on his family and the swimming community will continue to echo for years to come.