My Dad will be missed

Gary Lee Ager (Bear), 75, of Belle Fourche, passed away at home in Silver City, N.M., on Feb. 8, 2019. Gary Lee was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Grant and Dora Ager March 14, 1943. He had a sister Norma and three brothers, Wayne, Jerry, and James. Their family extended later with three cousins that became sisters, Sharon, Verna, and Vicky.

Gary and Rose Marie Moberg were married on Dec. 21, 1961. They had six children, Andre, April, StanLee, Thomas, Tiara, and Zachgary. He had 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. His family gave him great pride and joy!

He started out working for his father at Ager Auto Parts. He went on to support his family as a carpenter. He became known for his skills as a builder and built several homes in the Belle Fourche area. The family moved to Bismarck, N.D., in 1978, where he carried on in his trade. Later taking his trade to Calif., where he resided in Buena Park, AKA the San Hernando Zoo. There at times he worked with his sons and his brother Wayne. He applied his skills all over the greater Los Angeles area.

In 1993, Gary returned to South Dakota. He was a wheeler dealer by nature and dabbled through out his life from farm animals and cars to antiques. He owned three different antique stores and a bar in Belle Fourche in his later years.

Bear loved to cook and entertain for large groups of family and friends, whether it was a big buffet or cooking up a huge batch of his famous burritos and salsa, soups, and no lettuce salads but most of all was the salsa. His conversations often centered around what he was cooking at the time and how good a deal he got on groceries.

Being somewhat of a poet, he wrote many a yarn. He loved to sing and regularly sang at the Seventh Day Adventist church, where he even preached a sermon or two. On a Saturday afternoon in his younger years you would likely find him on a hike with his family.

Bear had an eclectic sense of style, a helmet adorned with horns, a custom-made top hat, three-piece suit, cut-offs, cowboy boots and a shabby cowboy hat were all part of his wardrobe.

Gary would help a total stranger out of the blue if it felt right. He had a heart of gold and would anonymously give time and/or money to help someone in need.

He is survived by all his children and his brothers and sisters. He is preceded in death by His parents and two step-mothers and one granddaughter.

There will be a celebration of life from 1-3 p.m. March 15 at the Belle Fourche Community Hall.

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