Gregory "Greg" Gardner

Gregory “Greg” Gardner, 69, of Lysite, Wyoming, passed away on March 1, 2026, at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital.

Born on October 14, 1956, in Riverton, Wyoming, Greg grew up suited to the life of a rancher. He attended school in Morton and Riverton and graduated from Shoshoni High School, though the classroom never held him the way the land did. Horses, cattle, and the open country were where he felt most at home.

On July 25, 1976, he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Ramage. In 1980, they moved to Lysite, where they built their own livestock operation and raised their three children. Greg was a rancher through and through. He lived by quiet competence, early mornings, and an unspoken understanding of livestock and the rhythms of the land. Even in his final days, he continued feeding cattle and horses on the ranch, working with the same steadfast resolve that defined his life.

He cherished a simple code of honesty and respect, often quoting John Wayne as a reflection of his own values. Private by nature, Greg showed his loyalty through actions rather than words. He possessed a quick temper that passed quickly, a dry sense of humor, and a deep respect for history, often forming close friendships with older generations. He treasured his Garcia silver bits, spurs, and saddle, and carried an old soul that found comfort in stories of the past.

Later in life, Greg discovered a love for travel and adventure, enjoying hunting trips to Africa, New Zealand, and Alaska, as well as solo road trips that sometimes led him to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to watch his favorite football team. In 2017, he received a heart transplant and faced the challenge with characteristic resilience, having survived countless horse wrecks, cattle accidents, and injuries over the years. Above all, his greatest joy was his grandchildren.

Greg was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jim Stoll and Earl Gardner; his grandmothers, Margaret McFarland Stoll and Stella Kelly Gardner; and his father, Dave Gardner.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Barbara Gardner; his children, Heidi Grace (Anthony) and their son Niall, Jason Gardner (Bridget) and their children Lainee and Landon, and James Gardner (Jennifer) and their children Megan, Mac, and Madison; his mother, Claudine Gardner; his brothers, Bret Gardner and Kelly Gardner (Kim); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Greg lived a life rooted in hard work, family, honesty, and the Wyoming land he loved. The ranch was his true home, and the cowboy life was his calling.