On March 7, 2026 the world’s greatest Dad, Brother, Husband, Grandpa, Uncle, Great-Grandpa and golfer passed peacefully at NCMC in Greeley. Gary Dee Wright was born on October 6, 1947 in Sterling, Colorado, to Betty and Arthur Wright Jr.
Gary was a hard worker. He started working at Shop-All when he was in high school to earn money to support his drag racing habit. Gary then worked at Hoch Lumber for a short time. After graduating from Yuma High School as a Yuma Indian in 1965, Gary moved to Longmont, CO where he worked at IBM for a couple of years. He moved back to Yuma in 1971 and worked at Hoch Lumber where he later became part-owner. He was a well-respected business man in the Yuma community who proudly upheld Hoch Lumber’s motto “Home of the square deal.”
In the great snow storm of the late 70s Gary met Ronda.
On September 2, 1977 they were married. This grew his family from him and Mitchell to Ronda and her two daughters Kelly and Shelly, and they became one happy family.
Around 50 years ago Gary and Ronda built their own house with the help of Leonard and Lyle Mekelburg. They were the last of the homesteaders, building their home on the edge of the Great Plains. There still are no creaks in the floor boards.
This was a happy home for the family, grandkids and great-grandkids.
In 2012 he retired because work was getting in the way of his golf. Gary and Ronda made countless lifelong friends from throughout the region on the golf course.
Gary and Leroy Mekelburg were golf partners for more than 50 years, winning numerous of league championships. Gary loved Leroy like a brother.
Gary won the senior men’s low gross club championship in 1998, and won the senior club championship in 2003, 2004 and 2010.
Gary always was on the cutting edge of television technology. He had a big satellite dish in his backyard in the early 1990s he could move remotely from satellite to satellite to pick up all the games. It was fun to run to the backyard to watch it move. Unfortunately, the TV folks quickly realized we should all pay more for that privilege. He was on top of anything that could lead to being able to watch more golf and football, particularly the Broncos. He was the master at recording games and tournaments even through his last weekend on this Earth. One did not dare go to his house on a Sunday to comment on a PGA tournament or a Broncos game until one was dang sure he was done watching it.
Ronda always has an idea for a project, and Gary was always up for the challenge. They truly were a perfect match. “Hey Gary, what the heck you doing?” “Ah, Ronda has a project for me.” “OK, see you later!”
Gary lived by the golden rule. His son Mitch learned a valuable lesson one day after not saying hi to a younger neighbor boy. Gary taught his son to treat everyone with respect and to this day he lives by the golden rule. He also taught his daughters Kelly and Shelly a few life lessons along the way through his example.
He is preceded in death by parents Jr. and Betty Wright, Father-in-Law Ron Ruberg, Mother-in-Law Winnie Ruberg, Brother-in-Law Bo Vaughn, Brother-in-Law Rick Myotte, and Son-in-Law Alan Pappenheim.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years Ronda Wright, sisters Linda Ostermiller (Jerry), Cathy Thim (Gene) and Patty Vaughn; Son Mitchell (Vilma), daughters Kelly (Tony) and Shelly; Grandchildren Chad (Amanda), Trey, Tori (Josh), Jake, Kyle (Brennan), Kadi, Kobe and Emma; Great-grandchildren Camden, Archer, Cohen, Azalea, Iris and Carter; Nieces Stacy Ostermiller, and Shannon Whitehead (Doug), and Nephews Eric Myotte (Naomi) and Troy Ostermiller (Kelly).
Gary was the type of guy one just couldn’t help but like no matter the reason for your interaction with him, and was dearly loved by all of his family members, as well as many others. Gary already is sorely missed by all.
He definitely was one of a kind.