Pleasant touched many in distinguished career
David Perry, Executive Editor -- Furniture Today, July 16, 2007
I was rushing around that afternoon, shuffling lineups of retailers and Simmons executives, taking pictures, and getting a quick word in between shots. Such hurried activity is a regular part of the bedding beat at markets and special events, such as the one I was attending that day.
Gary Pleasant, senior vice president of sales at Simmons, was one of the executives I caught up with that day. We shook hands. "It's good to see you again, Gary," I said. I took two pictures of Gary and some Simmons retailers, then moved on to the next group.
That was the last time I saw Gary Pleasant. Just four days later, as most of you know, Gary was killed in a bus accident near downtown Atlanta. He was 64. Life is indeed a fragile and precious thing.
Many of his friends reached out to me as the news of his death swept through the industry. Everyone agreed the industry had lost a good man, someone who made each of us a little better.
Bill Elliott, a close personal friend of Gary's and a colleague at Simmons, said he was "one of the most honest people that I have ever known. He had a tremendous amount of integrity, and was a warm, caring man who would always be there for you. Anyone who knew Gary recognized his gift for making people feel comfortable."
Don Hofmann recalled the smile that was always on Gary's face, and the many bedding men and women he mentored over the years. "He will be missed greatly," Hofmann said.
Kurt Ling remembered the humility of the man who came up with the idea for the No-Flip Beautyrest mattress, but didn't take credit for it: "He was just one of the guys on the team."
Ling ended his e-mail to me with a profound truth: "Number our days!" That's a reminder that there are no guarantees of how much time we have left to live. We all go around acting like we have forever to get this task done or to reach out to that friend or to take some special time off with our families. We may have lots of time left. Or we may not. Life can change in an instant, the instant in which a bus hits a retaining wall.
Farewell, Gary. You touched so many. Your legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who were blessed to know you.
Contact David Perry at dperry@reedbusiness.com
