Gary Deshazer of Wilder Idaho passed away from complications of kidney cancer and old age. Gary was born in Lewellen Nebraska to Lester and Dorothy (Wolford) Deshazer. His mother Dorothy passed away a short time after childbirth. His father Lester travelled to Payette Idaho later that year in search of work. Sometime thereafter, the family decided that Gary would remain in Nebraska and be raised by his grandparents Bud and Bessie Wolford. Gary was raised and worked as a cattle rancher in the sand hills north of Lewellen Nebraska throughout his youth. At 18, he started his service in the US Air Force from 1956-1960. He served overseas in the Azores for an 18-month tour followed by two years stationed in Merced California.

He married Waunita Louis Kleist in June of 1960 in Lewellen Nebraska. They had two children, Kathy Joann and Randy Lee. Gary moved his family to Homedale Idaho in February 1965 after being encouraged to seek work opportunities by two uncles living in the area. He held a few different jobs until going to work for the University of Idaho cattle experiment station in Caldwell Idaho in 1969. He was the cattle feedlot manager there until his retirement in 2002.

Gary’s wife Waunita passed away due to an auto accident in October of 1977. Gary then married Sharon Brockett Savage in April of 1978. Together they finished raising a family of 5. Sharon passed away due to health complications in January 2012. After meeting at church, Gary then courted and married Roxie Barney Atkins in March 2014. They made their home south of Wilder until his death.

Gary is survived by his wife Roxie, daughter Kathy, son Randy, stepdaughter Brenda, grandchildren Lynnette, Matthew, Brandon, Jace, great granddaughter Hazel, stepsister Dianne and multiple stepchildren, grandchildren, and great grandchildren on Roxie’s side.

Gary was a tough as nails cowboy. He loved cattle and horses and often recounted that “I guess I just got cows on the brain”. He was as hard a working man as you will ever meet (mowed the church lawn for 20 years up until this last year at the age of 86), rarely complained, honest, a loyal husband (till death do us part through three marriages), a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He experienced tribulation and loss in his life but endured gracefully, demonstrated resilience, was a strong role model and was a solid man to the end. God bless you dad and may you be at peace rejoicing in the presence of the Lord in heaven and riding herd on your Herford cattle ranch on your favorite horse.

A memorial service will be arranged at some point in early 2025. In lieu of flowers or other support, you may donate to Love Inc. in memory of Gary.

Memorial Keepers (2)

Gary Lee Deshazer