'I made the promise': 80-year-old bagger works to pay off late wife's medical debt
SALT LAKE CITY (KSTU/CNN Newsource/WKRC) - At 80 years old, Gary Saling is back to bagging groceries, a job he first took on in high school. But this time, it's not just for pocket money -- it's a labor of love. Saling is working to pay off $80,000 in medical bills left from his late wife Carol's battle with sundowner syndrome, a form of dementia.
Saling, who once designed multimillion-dollar mansions, met Carol at a stoplight in 1991. "The exact instant we both raised our sunglasses. It's the same moment," he said, recalling their serendipitous meeting. Their love story continued until Carol's passing in 2021.
Despite Medicare covering some costs, Saling said, his commitment to care for Carol at home has left him with a significant financial burden. "What wasn't covered was I, I, the promise that I kept that I would keep her at home," said Saling.
The community in St. George, Utah, took notice of Saling's dedication. Duana Johnson, who runs a small ministry in town, started a fundraiser to help him. "I saw Gary bagging groceries and I thought 'what's this guy, why is this elderly man still here?'" said Johnson. She organized the Gary Saling Donation Account at the State Bank of Southern Utah and set up a Venmo account for contributions.
"So we started a fundraiser and people have been messaging saying that they, they see him all the time and they really love him," Johnson said. "He's always nice, he's always kind, he's always like, you know, greeting them and smiling."
The fundraiser has raised about $2,000 so far. Saling remains humble about the support he's receiving. "There is no way I'm a hero. I am not an angel, and I'm certainly not a saint. I did, I made the promise to keep her at home and never put her in a nursing home because I took vows," he said.
