Gary Jack Anders

Nov. 12, 1940 - Feb. 17, 2025

Gary Jack Anders was born Nov. 12, 1940, in Denver, Colo., and passed away Feb. 17, 2025, at the Wyoming Retirement Center in Basin. Dementia stole many things from him in his final years, but it never took his love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When God called him home, he was freed from the burdens of this world. He is now reunited in heaven with his grandson, Mabry James Anders, and his faithful dog, Red—no doubt telling stories and keeping an eye on those he left behind. Per his wishes, he has been cremated, and a memorial service will be held this spring when the Wyoming weather is a little kinder.

Gary grew up in Colorado and graduated high school in 1958 before enlisting in the United States Navy, where he attended aviation electronics tech school and served as a flight crew member in a P2V Squadron. He was honorably discharged in 1962 as a Second-Class Petty Officer (E-5) but remained in the active reserve for two more years.

His career was as diverse as it was impressive. He worked for Public Service Co. of Colorado and IBM before finding his true calling in law enforcement. Over the next 25 years, he served as a police officer in Longmont, Colo., and Greybull, Wyo., before joining the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy, and later being elected sheriff, serving three terms. He worked as an investigator for the Wyoming State Board of Guides & Outfitters and as a hydrographer and water commissioner for the Wyoming State Engineer’s Office, retiring in 2016.

Gary was an old-west cowboy who always said he was born a century too late. A skilled horseman, he passed down his love for riding, training horses, and rodeo to his children and grandchildren. He ran a cow-calf operation, raised hay, and embraced the ranching life—even when it didn’t financially embrace him back. 

A true marksman, Gary was the top shooter at the Colorado Law Enforcement Academy and a lifelong firearms instructor. He knew every caliber and type of ammunition and meticulously reloaded his own rounds with expertise and attention to detail. He made sure all his kids could shoot with precision and confidence—a skill he believed was just as essential as riding a horse. He was also an avid member of the Single Action Shooters Society (SASS), winning quick-draw and timed events as Sheriff Short Rope. Though dementia robbed him of precious memories, some things were etched too deep to be lost. Just weeks before his passing, he recited the ballistics table for a .338 Lapua Magnum—grain, velocity, and drop rate—flawless, as if no time had passed at all.

Gary had a deep baritone voice that could command an arena, a shooting range, or a church pew. He was known for his prominent mustache, which remained his signature look throughout life, along with a full head of dark hair into his late 70s. His sharp wit and dry humor were legendary — if he teased you, you were in his good graces. He was full of one-liners and little quips, always delivered with perfect timing.

Gary married Susanna Bentley in 1961, and together they had four children: Carol, Warren, Daniel, and Diana (Dede). After their divorce in 1980, he married Karen Jones in 1983, gaining another daughter, Kerri. They divorced in 2012, but through all of life’s changes, his love for his children and grandchildren never wavered.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth (Bette) Mulder, and his grandson, Mabry James Anders.

He is survived by his children, Carol Anders of Cody, Wyo.; Warren Anders of Lovell, Wyo.; Daniel Anders (Gretchen) of Shell, Wyo.; Dede Anders of Powell, Wyo.; and Kerri Wagner (Matt) of Volga, S.D. He is also survived by his brother, Fred Anders (Candace) of Boulder, Colo., and his half-sister, Carol Ann Adkins (Dallas) of Gold Canyon, Ariz.

He was known as Papa or Pops to his seven grandchildren—Courtney, Lauren, Seth, Hudson, Haze, Hope, and his late grandson, Mabry—who all carry forward his legacy of hard work, faith, patriotism, and resilience.

If you hear a deep voice saying, “quit bellyaching and get back to work,” just know… Gary’s keeping an eye on things …