WOLTER, Gary Lee

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 01/23/2015 Gary Lee Wolter, 66, of Concho died Wednesday, Jan. 14, from a brief illness of pancreatic cancer at St. Joseph Hospice in Phoenix. He was born Oct. 21, 1948, to Wilbert “Willie” and Mae (Vangerud) Wolter in Moorhead, Minn. Gary graduated from Moorhead High in 1966 and studied architectural design at NDSU. On Aug. 30, 1969, he married Jeanne Richard from Horace, N.D., and they made their home in Fargo, N.D. The couple moved to Tucson in 1971 and Chandler in 1987. During this time, he worked various jobs in construction, retail and fleet management for a courier company. In 2008, the couple moved to the White Mountains, Show Low area, where he pursued his dream of “Old McDonald Had a Farm.” He loved his horses, chickens and other animals and enjoyed the wide-open spaces of country living. He worked as a self-employed merchandiser with his family until his death. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jeanne; daughter Tammy (Kent) Morris of Concho; son Mark (Nikki) of Lakeside; grandchildren Ryan, Raquel and Kaiden; stepgrandchildren Brandyn, Celeste, Robert Jr. and Joshua. He is also survived by two sisters, Janice Johnson of Moorhead, Minn., and Judy Thompson of Albany, Ore.; three brothers, Donald (Joslyn) of Athens, Tenn., Keith (Patty) of Fargo, N.D., and Mark (Suzan), Hawley, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. Gary considered many of his friends a part of his very large family. Many considered him the father or grandpa they didn’t have. A Celebration of Life was held Jan. 16 in San Tan Valley for Valley family and friends. Another service will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, in the Show Low area for his large extended family. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.affordablecremationaz.com Affordable Cremation and Burial Chapel of Mesa handled arrangements.