Gary was born on March 6, 1945, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Dorothy Jean Kelsey. His given name was Arthur Dean Kelsey. Before he was a year old, he gained proud adoptive parents, Roy and Edith Tyree, his current name, and a new address in Chadron, NE. Gary grew up in Chadron with many aunts, uncles, and grandparents who adored him. When he was eight years old, his new baby sister, Sally Jo, made their family complete.

Since he grew up in the 40s and 50s, many “heroes” were coming home from war. Gary was always fascinated with their stories, and from a very early age, all he wanted to be when he grew up was a soldier.That dream became a reality after graduating from Chadron High School in May 1963. He was eighteen years old, so in September 1963, he was proud to start wearing a United States Army uniform. While in the Army he was stationed in many places including Germany,Vietnam, Fort Sill, OK and Alaska. He would continue to serve his country in the Army, as well as theWyoming Air Guard and the Nebraska National Guard until his retirement.

While home on leave from Germany, and before leaving for his first tour of Vietnam, he stopped one day at “The Grill” in Chadron for his usual iced tea. His waitress that day was a young college girl named Jeannie McRae. He always said it was “love at first sight”! After his thirty-day leave (and many glasses of iced tea) he left for his first tour in Vietnam. After a long-distance relationship and a six-month engagement, they were married in Hot Springs, SD, on December 22, 1967.Two daughters, Devonna Lynn and Shawna Dee were born to this union.

After getting out of the service, Gary worked many places in the area, including NE Dept. of Roads, M.C. Schaff,Turner Motors, and his own shop (T’s Repair). He loved racing stock cars, (#71) in his younger days, and, as he got older, was passionate about boats (especially the fast kind) and fishing. He taught most of his grandkids to fish and was so happy for them when he saw what they caught.

He attended college at Scottsbluff, Laramie, and Chadron, majoring in art and history. He painted some beautiful pictures of eagles and made some nice stained-glass windows which his family will continue to appreciate. He loved reading and studying history and had an amazing memory for dates and facts.

He was a lifetime member of the BayardVFW Post 9915, the Gering DAV, and a member ofThe Chadron American Legion. He also served on the Morrill CountyVeterans Board for many years. One of the highlights of his life was getting to go toWashington D.C. with the High Plains Honor Guard.

A very loving and compassionate man, Gary loved his wife and family unconditionally. He would do anything he was capable of for any of them. He seldom went to town without his “honey-do” list which would be filled precisely!

Gary is survived by his wife, Jeannie; daughter Devonna Tyree-Bowers and her family: Megan Macy and sons Jack and Maddox; Staci (Tyson) Gould and their children Emali, Madi. And Max: Jerrick (Kenzie) Bowers, Mykah Curley and Dakota Curley; daughter Shawna Kittelmann and her family:Tyler Kittelmann (Nisha Bowman) and their children Zaiden, Carson, Lincoln, and Colton; Nicole Kittelmann (Santos Garza III) and their children Adrian, Leah, Alaina, and Chloe; son, Brandon Kittelmann; Gary’s sisters: Sally (Duane) Katen and family, Sharon Albertson and family, and Lynn (Dennis) Terry and their family.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Edith Tyree; his birth mother, Dorothy Veller, two half-sisters Jerrie Morrow and Lorri Soden; grandson Timothy Kittelmann, and great-grandson Damon Garza.

The family wishes to thank all of the staff at Morrill County Community Hospital,Veterans Home Based Primary Care, and Brookstone Hospice for the wonderful care they gave Gary.