Gary Marston Viner passed away on August 6, 2017, the result of a shooting accident.
Gary, born 1950 in Laramie, was the eldest son of Herbert Douglas Viner and Mildred Wiant Viner. He graduated from Laramie High School in 1968 and after his freshman year at the University of Wyoming, joined the U. S. Navy. Gary was initially trained as an Electronics Technician and was first stationed on Guam. He then served aboard the USS Vancouver (LPD- 2) during the Viet Nam conflict, where the ship participated in mine clearing operation End Sweep.
Gary changed specialties to the dental field where he served as a Dental Technician with a subspecialty in equipment repair. He was stationed in Brunswick, Maine; San Diego, California; and on Okinawa where he was attached to the U. S. Marine Corps. After his active service of 11 years, he remained in the Naval Reserve, retiring with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
His second career was as an educator, having graduated from the University of Wyoming. He taught in Rock River and Laramie with students in Industrial Arts and CADD, Computer-Aided Drafting and Design. He retired from Laramie High School in 2005.
After retiring, Gary enjoyed exploring the outdoors, hunting, fishing, riding trails in his ATV, gardening, rock hounding and polishing the semi-precious stones he collected.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Marianne, daughter Kecy Viner and her husband John Davis and their son Aaron Davis all of Aurora, Colorado, son Kyler and girlfriend Angela, and brother Kim and his wife Barbara all of Laramie.
Cremation has taken place. A brief military ceremony will be held at Montgomery Stryker Funeral home Friday August 11, 2017, at 2 p.m. to which those wishing to pay respects are invited.
The family suggests donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a disease which afflicted his mother, in lieu of flowers.
Gary Marston Viner
08
Aug 17
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To the Viner Family: I was a classmate and friend with Gary since grade school! I will always remember his wonderful sense of humor and great smile. He was definitely a person that everyone who knew would remember. He loved his family and he told me at one of the class reunions that after serving in the Navy and then returning to Laramie that he realized how much he loved Wyoming and knew he had to own a piece of it. So he went out and bought a piece of land and has been here ever since! I was so looking forward to seeing him at the 50th Class Reunion next year, but it seems God had another plan for him. Please accept my condolences for your loss. Gary was a special person and will definitely be missed by all who knew him. Rest In Peace my friend. Cindy Gashler Hardesty
It's enormous to lose Gary. Throughout high school, he was among my very closest friends. There were about half a dozen of us who road bicycles (and later drove) together, seeking things and places of interest to us as boy (and girl) scouts. One of my best memories was created in Laramie's original hospital. Only one or two visitors at a time were permitted to me as I lay recovering from an appendectomy. Somehow, (possibly as designed by Gary) five or six or seven of my high school friends, with Gary at the rear, arrived one or two at a time. Since none of them left, the hospital room was crowded with teenagers and loud laughter as long as visiting hours lasted. It hurt to laugh with an incision, but I was so glad to spend time with my friends that I gladly endured the pain. Gary's loss hurts my heart, but it was so good to have been his friend that I gladly endure the ongoing pain of his passing.
What a lost. Gary and I served together for many years in the U.S. Navy Reserves, in Cheyenne. I then had the privilege of serving with his wife in the Wyoming Air National Guard. Gary and I developed a close friend ship while serving together. A finer shipmate and friend as there ever was.
What a lost. Gary and I served together for many years in the U.S. Navy Reserves, in Cheyenne. I then had the privilege of serving with his wife in the Wyoming Air National Guard. Gary and I developed a close friend ship while serving together. A finer shipmate as there ever was.
Mr. Viner went out of his way to support my academic progress during a dark period in my youth, travelling hundreds of miles and allowing me to essentially complete two years of coursework in one year because he saw the potential in me that few did. Rest in peace, Gary!
I was so sorry to hear about Gary's death. Gary and I went to school from the 2nd grade through graduation in 1968. We were all part of the group of kids who grew up and played together in West Laramie. My thoughts and prayers are with Gary's family, friends, and classmates.
Gary touched so many people. Gary and I have known each other since junior high school. Our prayers are for all of your family. Gary taught our youngest daughter and she always said she loved his class. Again, our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Gary was a great man . I enjoyed the time I had with him working on the Diamond Ranch out in McFadden. We Damn sure had a lot of fun and he will Damn sure be missed.
A teacher who genuinely cared for students. Thank you for all the encouragement. You will not be forgotten .
Mr. Viner was a fantastic educator, and a role model and inspiration to me at a very difficult time in my life, when my mother passed away in my junior year of high school. I know my life would look different today if it had not been for him. I have happy memories of sitting with him in his office, or the "lounge" room he constructed, talking about everything from rock and roll to my future after high school. A few years ago, after I commissioned in the Army National Guard, I reached out to him and let him know how important his influence was to me in my early life. I'm thankful we had that opportunity to reconnect. He will always be a role model to me. Rest In Peace, Chief.
We are sorry to hear of the loss of Gary-losing a family member leaves a big hole in your heart that is very hard to heal! We were all West Laramie neighbors as kids growing up. Nancy (Trabing) Mickelson
We are sorry to hear of the loss of Gary-losing a family member leaves a big hole in your heart that is very hard to heal! We were all West Laramie neighbors as kids growing up. Nancy (Trabing) Mickelson
Dear Mari and Family, I am so sorry to hear about Gary. I always enjoyed visiting with both of you when ever we got together at hospital functions. Gary was such a good influence to both of our boys. He really guided them down the right paths. I know that you all are going to really miss him. Know that he is looking down from heaven and in his own ways will continue to give you the love and support you need, just ask him and he will help you. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. The Pine Family
Gary was a very popular educator who always rooted for the underdog and gave of himself to his students and fellow staff members. He was quick with a compliment or a word of encouragement, and had a wonderful sense of humor. I have fond memories of Gary.
I only graduated high school because of this man's guidance. He was great teacher before I planned on enlisting in the navy. Once comittted to joining. Gary helped prepare me for what was to come combined with helping me focus to graduate high school. He will be missed, and I owe him a frat deal
Marianne, I am so sorry to hear about your loss of your husband. I heard a lot about him through various students but never had the pleasure of meeting him. You and I became friends through the choir and I have always had great respect for you. Please accept my sympathy during this tragic time. My prayers and hugs go to you and your family. Lynn Broughton
Oh, Mari, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in fond memories.
A very sad day when I heard of Garys passing. My condolences to the entire Viner family.
Our deepest sympathy to Kim, Marianne and their children. You are in our thoughts. Gary was a tremendously skilled professional who was admired and respected by his colleagues. Our son Jeremiah is the CAD field to this day largely because of classes and guidance from Mr. Viner. So sorry for your loss.
Marianne and Kim, Everyone who knew Gary is sad beyond words. He was such a good and fun guy. We are lucky to have known him.
I still can't believe I received this news, and it is even tougher to read it; the words just blur out. Mr. Viner you were a true inspiration to me, and after making Chief this year I can call you a brother. I wish I could have told you the news in person because I joined the Navy to be an ET like you. Thank you so much for pushing me out of my comfort zone. Until we meet again, fair winds and following seas.
Claire, Katie and Alek Angele send their deepest prayers to you, Mari, Kecy and Kyler. He was everything to you and we pray for Gary and all of you.
Dear Viner Family, Clearly, Gary was a one of a kind. We will all miss him. I am a friend and classmate since 3rd grade and also lived by the Viner family in West Laramie and rode bikes with Gary. We had such fun! He recently brought me some copies of the Scout Echo, a newspaper published in Junior High School and we had a good laugh. I'm going to miss that man! I echo Cheryl Wittstock's sentiments. I will be visiting Marianne soon. Love, Deanna Stickley Johnson
Mari, So sorry to hear about Gary. I am thinking of you and I will keep you in my prayers
Kim and Barb, we are so sorry for your heartbreaking loss. Love and prayers you you and all the family.Mary and Jeff
I wanted to express my heartfelt condolences to all the Viner family. For right now, there's no detour around grief, no shortcut through mourning. However, 2 Cor.4:7 says that God can give us, "... power beyond what is normal ", to go from one day to the next. This does not mean that we no longer cry, or that we forget. It means we recover. We recover because of our hope. Jesus Christ talked about our hope in John 5:28, "... all those in the memorial tomb will hear his voice and come out ". Jesus was referring to the resurrection. That is our amazing hope! The Bible likens our hope to an anchor. Just like an anchor stabilizes a ship, our hope stabilizes us and keeps us from drowning in overwhelming sadness. 2 Cor.1:3 describes our Creator as, "... the God of all comfort ". One way that God comforts us is by moving people who care about us to give us words of encouragement that we need to hear. May the God of comfort be your comfort now, during this time of sorrow. For the Bible's answers to life's big questions please visit JW.org.
Deepest sympathies to Gary's family and other friends. I so enjoyed reacquainting with Gary at the rec center the last couple of years. He never lost his positive outlook and was really enjoying retirement. Paul Greaser
Marianne, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. Thinking about you and praying for you during the horrible time.
I was so sorry to hear of Gary's untimely death. I am thinking of you and your family. Jenenne
Kim:. We were so sorry to hear about your brother from our daughter in Laramie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Barb, and your family. Remember the good memories of Gary and know that we are thinking of you in this difficult time. Patti and Ron
Could hardly believe my eyes when i read of his passing. What a wonderful teaching partner. Gary helped my youngest son,BOB CRUICKSHANK, when Bob was going to LHS. Their friendship began when Bob took CAD from him. They were big pals throughout BOBS HIGH SCHOOL YEARS. So sorry for your families great loss. He had a way to teach his students and they respected him a great deal. Your family members are in my prayers. Gwen Cruickshank
My deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Viner family. My heart aches for your loss Kecy, I never got to meet your dad, but I knew how much you loved him. May he rest in peace.
Our Deepest and Sincerest Condolences to the Viner Family. You have our most heart felt sympathy. John and Sharron Davis
Mari...my heart is very saddened. I know how much Gary meant to you thru our 30+ years of friendship. I am so glad we were able to spend time with both of you this past summer in Arizona. Prayers for you and your family.
Ken & Karen Speicher We lost a very dear friend. Back in our Navy days, we spent a year with Gary on Okinawa, where he became a member of our family. Despite the distance between us, we kept in touch over the years. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.
So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He loved life, his friends and family. I remember how he and my husband discussed their passion for motorcycles! My condolences.
Our deepest sympathies for the Viner family loss. We were classmates of Gary's since 4th grade. He had a wonderful sense of humor and always could get the teachers in good moods with his silly antics. He was master of ceremony at our 40th class reunion. It was our blessing to know him. Roy Eurioste and Betty Montoya Eurioste - Aurora, colorado
My condolences Kim and Barb and to the entire Viner Family. So very sorry to hear of your loss. Carolyn Nielsen Herman
Brian Comly Mr. Viner was a great teacher and a friend. I am lucky to have known him He inspired me to join the NAVY and become my own man. Fair winds and flowing seas shipmate
Very sorry to hear this sad news about Gary. He will certainly be missed. Sam and Linda Kotby
When I was in high school, Mr. Viner pushed my parents to look into the symptoms of what was ultimately a brain tumor. After surgery, Mr. V. visited my hospital room, even through the surgery was in Denver. I'm probably still around because of him taking action. He was a great teacher - I'm thankful I got to know him and he will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you Kim, Barbara and his family. He will be missed beyond words. God bless.
May deepest condolences to friends and family of Gary. He played an important roll in my older brother's life and mine as well. He gave guidance to both of us in our early adulthood. My Brother, David Hardgrave made a career for himself in the Navy due to the support and leadership from Gary. Rest in Peace.
Marianne, My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family during this difficult time. I didn't know your hubby personally, but know you would have chosen a good one! May God bless you all and give you strength in the days ahead. Don Bonenberger "Bones"
I have so many wonderful memories of Gary as a colleague and friend. I am so sorry for your loss.
Dave and I are so saddened by Gary's passing. We conducer Gary and his family a part of our family. Our family reunion in Estes Park will not be the same without Gary's smiling face! My family and Dave's thought the world of him!. Being Mari's maid of honor was one of the greatest honors I have had. Spending time with Gary's family in Laramie, I knew that My friend Mari was going to be very happy! Mari truly met her soulmate! Love to you all! Love you Gary! Liz , Dave, Erika and Peter
Mr. Viner was one of my favorite teachers at LHS. I always looked forward to his classes and spending time in his break room in between dedicated CAD sessions. He struck a unique balance between supporting me and challenging me that proved instrumental in his classes and would continue to help me in college and my career. We would also discuss all sorts of issues related life and the world. We didn't always see eye to eye, but I always felt that he respected me as a growing young man. He was a mentor just as much as if not more so than a high school teacher. My sincere condolences to his family. Please know that he had such a positive impact on myself and others.
What a sad loss for all of us who knew him. May He rest in peace. With love from, Kathleen and Phil White.
I had taken a CAD class from Gary when I returned home from being in the navy. Having served in the navy we hit it off right away, he was always so positive when I would run into him. He will be dearly missed. RIP! Rafael Andrade
We are so saddened to learn of Gary's passing. He was a wonderful person, classmate and friend with a great sense of humor. Many blessings are wished to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, in this difficult time. Mike and Nancy (Soll) Meyers, Chandler Arizona
Sorry to hear about Gary. I still remember him giving a ride in his new car listening big wheels keep on rolling down the dirt rode at the ranch. Lynn Viner
Sorry to hear of your loss. It's hard to lose a husband, father and sibling. You have my condolences!
I am so very sorry to hear of Gary's death... although I haven't seen him for many years I will always remember the fun we had at the ranch in Encampment. He was a good cousin.
Mr. Viner was one of my favorite teachers and played an integral part in helping me become the person that I am. His light burns on even though he is no longer with us. My condolences to his family and everyone else whose live he touched.
My deepest condolences to his family. I had the opportunity to met him and he was a wonderful human being. He and his family open their home to me all the times. I am truly sorry about his lost, may God bring peace to all his family .
I'm so sorry. He was a great man.
He was one of my favorite teachers. May he rest in peace.