A Celebration of the life of Gary Raymond Virtue, 71, will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021, 1:00 P.M. at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 405 North Sixth Street, Douglas, Wyoming with Daniel York officiating. Interment will be in the Douglas Park Cemetery with military honors accorded by Samuel Mares American Legion Post #8 and Wyoming Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors.
Gary passed away Thursday, November 4, 2021 at Saint Lukeʼs Magic Valley Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Gary was born in Riverdale, North Dakota on Tuesday, July 25, 1950 the son of Ralph Lynn and Doris Nerrene (Mace) Virtue.
The family moved to Forsyth, Montana where he was raised and at 19 years old Gary enlisted in the United States Army on August 21 1969 and was deployed overseas. He was honorably
discharged as a Specialist Five on March 21, 1972. He returned home to Forsyth, where he met the love of his life, Cheryl Lea Gregerson. They were wed on May 19, 1973.
To this union, two sons were born, Jeremy and Justin. In 1983 Gary was working for Peabody Coal and had the opportunity to move his family to Douglas, where Gary and Cheryl raised their boys and had a good life.
Gary was a friend to many, coffee every morning at the Plains with the guys, he was on a bowling team for many years. He retired from Peabody Coal in 2008 after 35 years with the company. He spent his retirement years hunting, fishing, working on his Montana agates, and cruising through town in his ‘77 Nova.
Gary was a big part of his grandson’s life’s every day. Never missing a baseball game, he enjoyed being with them and teaching all he knew. Gary is going to be missed by so many. He was a man who had faith in God, he was kind, patient, and always there to help you out if you needed a hand. He was our rock.
Gary is survived by son, Jeremy (Michelle) Virtue and grandsons, Zack and Alex; son, Justin (Michelle) Virtue, grandson, Elijah; and great grandson, Jakob all of Douglas; brother, David (Sandy) Virtue of Ballantine, Montana; mother-in-law, Doris Gregerson of Douglas; brother-in-law, Pat Gregerson of Forsythe; sister-in-law,Yvette(Terry) Nickisch of Billings, Montana; brother-in-law, Barry Boyson of Douglas; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his beloved wife, Cheryl Virtue, on July 2, 2009; father, Ralph Virtue, on September 12, 1982; mother, Doris Hamilton, on December 11, 1989; brother, Michael Virtue; sister-in-law, Laurie Boyson, on July 24, 2019; and grandson, Caelan Virtue, on May 29, 2001.
Serving as pallbearers are, Fred Smith, Lanny Heflin, Bill Gross, Danny Renz, Zack Virtue and Alex Virtue.
Honorary pallbearers are all of his coffee buddies, family, co-workers, neighbors, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Gary Virtue Memorial Fund is appreciated by the family in care of Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel, PO Box X, Douglas, Wyoming 82633.
Following the ceremonies at the cemetery the family would like you to join them for a celebration of life at The Douglas Inn, 1450 North Riverbend Drive, Douglas, Wyoming.
We welcome all, please stay healthy and safe.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of GARY RAYMOND VIRTUE, please visit our floral store.