In Loving Memory of Gerald Milton “Gary” Ricley

November 14, 1946 – October 17, 2026

Gerald Milton “Gary” Ricley, 79, of Slater, Wyoming, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 17, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of love, laughter, adventure, and stories that will be told for generations.

Born November 14, 1946, in Denver, Colorado, to Arthur Morgan and Pauline Rose Ricley, Gary was a man of remarkable ingenuity, unwavering determination, deep faith, and an unforgettable sense of humor. He knew how to get things done but never believed life should be taken too seriously.

If asked, Gary would say his greatest accomplishment was the family and life he built with his beloved wife, Karen Sue. They met in 1964, and married after two years of courtship, going on to spend 50 years together. They raised four children and created a life rich in love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Summers meant weeks of boating, winters brought family ski trips, and he continually prioritized creating memories through family vacations, hunting adventures, late-night card games, and time spent together filled the years. Gary especially loved deer and elk hunting and believed life's greatest adventures were even better when shared with family and friends, even including his mom on a trip to Hawaii.

Gary's professional accomplishments were extraordinary. Beginning his career as a mechanic, he worked his way through the ranks of General Motors to become an executive, retiring at just 52 years old. He possessed the mind of an engineer, a natural gift for problem solving, and a work ethic that he used to be successful across several endeavors, both personally and professionally.

Retirement was hardly the end of Gary's working years. For more than 30 years, he enjoyed a successful ranching and cattle operation on his rolling Wyoming ranch. Alongside his beloved pet horses, chickens, and cattle, Gary and Karen took great pride in caring for the land and creating a haven for wildlife. Their dedication to wildlife habitat improvements earned them the honor of 2011 Landowners of the Year, a recognition of their commitment to conservation and stewardship. They also welcomed walk-in pheasant hunting on their property, sharing their appreciation for the land and outdoors with others. The ranch became another chapter in a life defined by hard work, ingenuity, and a deep appreciation for nature.

Wonderfully nostalgic, he loved sharing stories from his colorful life, often telling the same favorites again and again. His family could frequently recite them right along with him, but his enthusiasm and familiar punchlines were part of what made him so endearing. Those stories, and the laughter that accompanied them, became treasured family traditions.

His faith in and love for the Lord were central to his life, providing strength and comfort throughout every season. The passing of Karen eleven years ago profoundly changed Gary's world. After a lifetime together, navigating life without her was never quite the same.

In his later years, Gary faced the challenges of dementia, particularly difficult for a man who had always proudly described his memory as a “steel trap.” Though the disease gradually changed his world, it never erased the man his family loved. When comfortable and at ease, his familiar humor and quick wit still shone through, offering precious glimpses of the storyteller and jokester everyone knew.

Gary lived a full and vibrant life. He worked hard, loved deeply, laughed often, and filled his years with experiences worth remembering. His greatest legacy isn't measured by professional titles, cattle raised, or places traveled, but by the family he cherished, and the memories he leaves behind.

Gary was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Karen Sue; cherished granddaughter, Elizabeth Rose Dimzoff; parents, Arthur Morgan and Pauline Rose Ricley; and brother, Ronald Arthur Ricley.

He is survived by his four children, Ronda Dimzoff of Frederick, Colorado; Terry Ricley of Burlingame, Kansas; and David Ricley and Sheila Ricley, both of Cheyenne, Wyoming; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.

And though Gary may have told the same stories a hundred times, his family would give anything to hear him tell them just once more.

Rest peacefully, Gary. A life well lived, a job well done, and a lifetime of stories left for us to tell.

A celebration of Gary's life will be held Friday, November 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Lakeview Chapel at Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home, 2222 Russell Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming. [Reception details to be added.]

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming.