Gary John Steers

Our beloved husband, Dad, and Papa, Gary John Steers, rode off one last time into a beautiful Wyoming sunset on Friday, July 12, 2024. As a man always enamored by the wonders and beauty of nature, it seemed fitting to watch the colorful hues of a summer night sky welcome him home.

Gary John Steers was born to Roy "Buddy" Jason and Elsie Gertrude (Morganstean) Steers on Sept. 1, 1945. He grew up outside of Lander on the Steers Family Ranch spending his days in the fields and mountains with his parents and siblings, Avalon Cristando, Bonnie Wilhelm and Peggy Hornecker. His family had a rich history in the Lander Valley, homesteading in Wyoming in 1863 and establishing the ranch outside of Lander in 1888. He was also a lifetime member of the Lander Pioneer Association.

As a young man, he worked at US Steel as a train engineer and later spent time as a mechanic among other occupations. He worked hard and always made friends wherever he spent his time.

Perhaps his true calling, however, was to play the part of "Dad." He was born to be a father and emparted love and wisdom on his children. His first child and only son, Robert Brian, was born Feb. 24, 1969. Three girls, Mista Lynn, Trista Leigh and Kindal Laine, later completed his family, born June 11, 1977; May 1, 1984; and Oct. 1 1987. He loved each of them with all of his being and built close, special relationships with all of them. He later became our beloved Papa with the birth of his first grandchild, Cayley Steers, in 2001, who he loved like one of his own daughters. He was excited and supportive at the arrival of each of his grandchildren including Sophia Alice MacVittie, born May 29, 2013, Cole Richard MacVittie, born May 12, 2015, Cohen John Matson, born June 9, 2017, and Nora Wylder Matson, born Aug. 25, 2021. He was also blessed to know two of his great-grandchildren, Zillah Lynn and Santana Ray.

In 1977, he married Kay Roper, who he spent the remainder of his life with. When they were younger, they enjoyed spending time at the lake and camping with their family. He supported her love for bowling through many family vacations taken to various states for her to compete at the national level. Many children found their way to Gary's cozy lap as Kay and Gary cared for many of Lander's children at the daycare they ran in their home.

Services to honor the memory of Gary will be held in Lander on Friday, July 19, at 10 a.m. at Hudson's Funeral Home, followed by a reception at the Lander Pioneer Museum. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Lander Pioneer Association.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Elsie Steers; mother- and father-in-law Orin and Alice Roper, sister and brother-in-law Avalon and Joe Cristando, and son Robert Brian Steers. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kay (Roper) Steers, daughters and son-in-laws Mista Steers; Trista and Henry MacVittie; and Kindal and Max Matson; grandchildren Cayley Steers, Sophia and Cole MacVittie, and Cohen and Nora Matson; great-grandchildren Zillah and Santana; sister and brother-in-law Bonnie and Dick Wilhelm and family; sister Peggy Hornecker and family; and nephew Kevin Cristando.

We saw that shooting star Friday night, Dad. We knew you would never leave us.

Please sign the online guestbook at: hudsonsfh.com