Gary Robert Stull

Former longtime Thermopolis, Wyo., resident and businessman, Gary Stull, passed away in Payson, Ariz., on October 21, 2022, in the presence of family following a long period of declining health.

Born in Sterling, Colorado on July 16, 1942, to Robert "Bob" and Violet "Faye" (Kler) Stull, the family soon relocated to North Platte, Neb., where Gary's father was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad. While attending high school he began dating Patricia (Pat) Ann Empfield, the two later married at the Presbyterian Church of North Platte on June 24, 1962, and in the following years they added three children (Michael, Mark and Stephanie) to their family.

Following high school graduation in 1961, Gary was employed as a meat cutter at a local North Platte grocery store, launching a career in the grocery business that spanned 45 years. In Fall 1962, he began a 10+ year career with Mr. D's grocery stores and relocated to Lander, Wyo., eventually rising to chain manager, building and launching stores in Riverton, Cody and Green River, Wyo. In 1973, the opportunity to purchase the Consumers Thriftway grocery store in Thermopolis, Wyo., presented itself and he and his family relocated. Eventually he renamed the store Gary's Food Farm and relocated it to its current site at 6th and Richards Streets. During this period he also served as a board member of Salt Lake City-based Associated Food Stores, Inc. Throughout Gary's years in Thermopolis, he regularly supported the Hot Spring County 4-H Program and was an active member in the Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce, Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge and Thermopolis Rotary Club, hosting many foreign exchange students. He was an avid golfer and big supporter of the Legion Town and Country Club. Gary was a member of Ducks Unlimited and rarely a winter weekend would go by that he was not out on the Big Horn River duck and goose hunting with his trusty Labradors, Joe and JD. In 1986, Gary and Pat relocated to the Phoenix, Ariz., area, and he joined the management team of Basha's Supermarkets where he was employed until his retirement.

In 1995, Gary married Donna Gee and they resided in Mesa, Ariz., before relocating to Payson, Ariz., in 2006 to begin their retirement journey. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Roland Stull, Gary spent his retirement years fly fishing the big waters of the Colorado, Green and San Juan Rivers, at other times he could be found fishing the waters of Alaska and Patagonia. Many summers were spent with Donna in Lake City, Colo., on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River.

Surviving family members include his wife, Donna Stull, and her son Michael (Lori) of Santa Ana, Calif., and daughter Shari Schreuer (Mario) of Aachen, Germany; former wife, Pat Stull; son, Michael (Lisa) Stull of Marietta, Ga.; son, Mark Stull of Chandler, Ariz.; daughter, Stephanie (Chad) VanCore of Gilbert, Ariz.; and grandchildren, Jacob VandeVoorde, Samantha Stull, Brant Stull, Taylor VandeVoorde, Ashley Stull and Madison VandeVoorde.

Gary was preceded to eternity by his Mother and Father.

Interment will occur at Sheridan Municipal Cemetery in Sheridan, Wyoming. At Gary's request, no formal services are planned.