Douglas ‘Doug’ Paul Freier
June 22, 1958 - Jan. 11, 2025
Douglas “Doug” Paul Freier, 66, of Greybull, Wyo., passed away on January 11, 2025, in Billings, Mont., while surrounded by family. Doug fought a long, courageous battle against stage 4 colon cancer for nearly five years.
Doug was born June 22, 1958, in Billings, Mont., to Darlene “Dottie” Ginter Freier and Kenneth Freier. They moved to Cody, Wyo., in 1963, where he attended school from kindergarten until midway through fifth grade. They moved to Worland, Wyo., where he went to junior high school. He spent a year in Gillette, Wyo., as a freshman and a year in Billings, Mont., for confirmation through the Pilgrim Congregational Church as a sophomore. He moved back to Worland for junior and senior year and graduated from Worland High School in the bicentennial year of 1976.
Doug had dreams of joining the Navy right out of high school, but since he was only 17 and his mother wouldn’t sign off, he left for Phoenix, Ariz., to attend Arizona Automotive Institute instead. He went back to Wyoming and married his first wife, Gayle, in 1977, and they had three boys, George and twin boys, Bruce and Preston.
After working a multitude of jobs including Big Horn Chevrolet, different drilling rigs, Montgomery Wards, Mead and Sons Farm Equipment, and Corbin Well Service, he settled in with Montana Copier Systems for nine years and worked his way up from service technician to district manager of the Wyoming division. He was divorced and returned to Phoenix in January 1986. He fell head over heels in love with his childhood friend, Denny Wells, and her two adorable children, Tanya and Michael. They were married on Dec. 27, 1986, and had two beautiful daughters together, Pamela and Ronee.
In July 1990, Doug and his family moved back to Wyoming where he worked for Hawkins and Powers Aviation as an aircraft mechanic and at Montana Copier Systems as a service technician. He later started Douglas Business Machines and sold and serviced copy machines for a couple years until he switched careers and became a truck driver. For the next several years, he drove for Deaver Express, US Express, GK Construction, Werner Enterprises, and LD Anderson. He managed to visit and travel through all but three of the continental United States, covered close to a million miles, trained a number of student drivers, visited the Greybull Elementary School, and sent postcards from all over the country to his youngest daughter’s third grade class. Needing to be closer to home, he again joined the Hawkins and Powers Aviation family and became chief avionics technician.
In October 2004, Doug and Denny purchased Stockman’s Bar in Basin, Wyo., then bought the Smokehouse Saloon in 2007. Doug used his skills in plumbing, electrical, and carpentry to make improvements to the bars and he was most proud of the quality of his pool tables. Stockman’s Bar was later sold and is under new ownership. Doug had several rental properties under the name D&D Rentals, and he co-owned and maintained ATMs all over Wyoming with his friend and business partner, Mike. He was the hardest worker and when he entered a room, and was often heard saying, “If you don’t have time to do it correctly right now, when are you going to find time to do it again?” His work ethic and versatility were admired by all who knew him. Some would even say he was a jack of all trades and a master of all of them too!!!
Doug was a diehard Denver Broncos fan and an avid NASCAR enthusiast. For over 30 years, he ran pool and dart leagues, fostering competition and sportsmanship among friends. He was a member of the Greybull Elks Lodge BPOE #1431 for 35 years and the exalted ruler for two years. He had donated to numerous charities and to Peaks to Conga, which was especially special to him, as cancer is such a vicious disease. In his free time, he found joy camping and fishing at Freier Beach at Boysen State Park and exploring the Big Horn Mountains. Holidays with Doug were filled with laughter, board games, football, and spirited games of pool — cherished traditions that will live on in the hearts of his family.
Doug is survived by his amazing and loving wife of 38 years, Denny Freier; his children George Freier (Gina) of Knoxville, Tenn.; Bruce Malson of Casper, Wyo.; Preston Malson of Casper, Wyo.; Tanya Bork (Tim) of Sheridan, Wyo.; Michael Malone (Rasia) of Butte, Mont.; Pamela Gorski (Michael) of Basin, Wyo.; and Ronee Freier (Daniel) of Greybull, Wyo. He was a proud grandfather to 22 grandchildren and shared his home with two beloved dogs, Charlie and Cooper. He is also survived by his Uncle Rocky Ginter, Aunt Judie Reichenbach, Aunt Donna Ginter, sister-in-law Debbie Wade, brother-in-law Mike Wells, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A memorial service to honor Doug’s life will be held at the Greybull Elks Lodge Friday Jan. 31, 2025, at 3 p.m. Denver Broncos attire is encouraged but not required. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to “PEAKS to Conga” in his name to assist those fighting this horrible disease. Doug’s legacy of love for family and passion for life will continue to inspire all who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to those who mourn his loss.