Gary Steven Klispie
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Gary Steven Klispie was born on September 6, 1955 to Richard and Margaret Klispie in Sarasota, Florida. Gary was the middle of three brothers, Alan and Dennis, each boy born just a year apart. His playful, joking spirit developed in youth alongside his siblings as they grew up in the sunshine and water along the Peace River in Punta Gorda, Florida. Gary's childhood was filled with serving his home Parish, fishing, boating, waterskiing, exploring with his brothers, and being loved on by his parents and community.
Gary was involved in athletics from an early age, excelling especially in baseball. He also loved listening to music and playing the saxophone. Gary graduated from Charlotte High School in 1973. He first attended community college and was roommates with his brother, Alan. Gary then transferred to the University of Southern Florida in Tampa. He worked at Busch Gardens during that time where he met and fell in love with Julie Gates. He also pursued opportunities in minor league baseball. Gary graduated in 1979 from USF, earning a Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice.
Gary married Julie in 1978, and the couple moved to Wyoming in 1979 following his college graduation. He started working for Admiral Beverage in Cheyenne as a route driver, traveling around the state for the Pepsi Cola Company. In the spring of 1981, his first daughter, Amber, was born. Gary and Julie divorced in 1985, and Gary continued to reside in Cheyenne until he moved to Worland to become the Sales Manager for the Pepsi warehouse in 1990.
Gary was very active in softball when he first became a part of the community. He met Gail Harrell when she came to him asking for sponsorship for a Worland team which he then joined in turn. Gary played softball in Cheyenne for eleven years and then in Worland for another eighteen, traveling all over the state for tournaments. It was on the field that some of Gary's closest friendships were forged, and where he and Gail became close and fell in love.
Gary and Gail married on December 27th, 1992. Their union also brought Gail's daughter, Mandy (age 6), and son, Mathew (age 5), into their family. In the summer of 1993, their daughter, Katelyn, was born. Gary and Gail moved to their home on Charles Avenue, where they've poured their faith, love, and commitment to one another, their family, and their community for 30 years. Gary brought light, infectious joy, and a playful spirit to his family. His role modeling of how to come together in work and in play served as a steady and grounding anchor. He loved to spend time with his family and friends, whether it was in the mountains, trips to Florida, through his children's academic and athletic activities, or the Catholic church. He found ways to weave games and jokes through the everyday rhythms of family life in their home. Gary and Gail often traveled to new places on adventures together, whether it was for work, to visit friends, or to spend time with family who settled in all corners of the country.
Gary was known throughout the town as the "Pepsi Guy", always with a bright smile and ready to help with whatever anyone asked of him. His giving spirit made him a joy to work with throughout Worland and the state. His gentle, generous nature and way with people was immediately apparent whether you were a close friend or a new acquaintance on the way to becoming one. Gary was also active with the Jaycees, the Worland Chamber of Commerce, St. Mary Magdalen's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, and the ASA District Softball Commission.
Gary retired from Pepsi in 2020, after 41 years of service to the company. Gary and Gail continued to invest their time with family and friends and even more adventures. They were often found in the mountains, hiking in national parks, driving cross-country, and walking along the beach. They also spent extended periods of time in Florida staying close to family there. Gary was a loving rock for his wife in her trials with cancer. He always wore a wristband which said, "No one fights alone" and he lived by that.
Over this past year, Gary traveled to spend cozy, quality time with each of his children and grandchildren, attended family and local events, and even went to his 50-year high school class reunion down in Florida. He continued to soak up life, finding joy with family and friends through golfing, camping, bowhunting, four-wheeling, hiking, cross-country skiing, gardening, and simply sitting and visiting together. Gary took long walks daily, always making time to talk to Gail, and he continued serving the church with the Knights of Columbus drawing closer to God along the way. Gary had an innate ability to lighten and lift the spirits of those around him, and his way of listening without judgment and giving you his time and attention whenever and however you needed it was a source of light for all who knew him.
Gary passed away unexpectedly, in his sleep at home, on January 6, 2024. He was welcomed into Heaven by the person he missed most and his Heavenly Father. His family hopes that their loving reunion can bring some small amount of happiness to this sudden and sorrowful news.
Gary is preceded in death by his wife, Gail, as well as his parents, Richard and Margaret Klispie.
Gary is survived by his four children, Amber (Martin) Harvey of St. Petersburg, Florida, Mandy (Seth) Roseberry of Ketchikan, Alaska, Mathew (Kerie) Crichton of Washington D.C., and Katelyn (Bru) Swing of Sheridan, Wyoming; brothers, Alan (Cindy) Klispie of Punta Gorda, Florida and Dennis (Judy) Klispie of Plant City Florida; and his four grandchildren: Caleb, Addison, Orrin, and Hannah. His deep friendships brought him great joy throughout his life, and he showed such gratitude for everyone's support and the time he spent together with each and every person in his life.
A rosary was held Friday January 12, 2024. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, January 19, 2024 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church with Father Robert Rodgers officiating. A visitation will be held, 6:00 PM Thursday, January 18, 2024 at the Bryant Funeral Home Chapel in Worland, Wyoming. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gary's memory can be made to the Knights of Columbus #8635 of St. Mary Magdalen's Church. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.
