George Albert Gladney, 76, of Laramie, passed away on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Ivinson
Memorial Hospital. He was born Sept. 24, 1946 in Wilmington Delaware to David and Mary
(Gowan) Gladney.
After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, he
worked in the field and as an editor at the Denver Post, LA Times, and the Jackson Hole News
before achieving his Master’s from the University of Oregon, and his Ph.D from the
University of Illinois. Those degrees in mass communication and journalism landed him a job
at the University of Wyoming where he spent 30 years teaching and publishing, attaining his
Professor Emeritus before retiring in 2017. Dr. Gladney was a meticulous editor and
dedicated teacher.
Dr. Gladney sought after travel in his work and personal life, spending one year abroad
in Warsaw, Poland on sabbatical. He was a voracious reader of history, explaining how he
found peace and awe traveling through many eastern European and Asian countries.
He raised three sons whom he showered with unconditional love and praise.
Dr. Gladney found joy in mountaineering (summiting 37 Colorado 14ers), backpacking,
listening to classic rock and contemporary instrumental music, gardening, and golf. Fall was
always a favorite time for Dr. Gladney, when he could sit down and go out with friends and
family to cheer on the Missouri Tigers on game days.
He is survived by his children, Zeb (Paige) Gladney, Bridger (Maria) Gladney, and Boone
Gladney; and his sister, Mary Beth Caldwell.
Celebration of life will be on Sunday, July 30th at 3:00PM in the Lincoln Community Center.
George and I met at various professional conferences in the 1990s and bonded as former newspapermen who ended up as academics and world travelers. We were kindred graduates of the University of Missouri. I visited him often in Laramie both before and after his University of Wyoming retirement. His friendship was invaluable. He is missed.
George was one of my professors, too - and I always enjoyed seeing him at Half Arce Gym. He will be missed.
He was a kind souls. Angel hugs.
George was a dear friend to me, we met in Ukraine and had a lot of conversations and discussions about Ukrainian history and culture. He was a genuine person, honest and kind, brave and inspiring. His friendship would be greatly missed.
Sending my condolences to Professor Gladney's family. He changed my life! I was a non-traditional college student, with three children, in the early 1990s. The first class I took from Professor Gladney was Mass Media Law. He was a meticulous lecturer and pretty much blew my mind. Over the course of my undergraduate degree, he pushed me to reach my potential, opened the door to the field of media ecology to me, and was truly my mentor. He nominated me as an outstanding graduate and encouraged me to earn a master's degree. Eventually, I did just that with Professor Gladney as my thesis chair. I learned so much from that man that I still find myself quoting him and referring to him as someone who influenced my life in important and meaningful ways. Even though he encouraged me to call him George, I never could because of the incredible respect I had for him. George Gladney will forever be Professor Gladney to me, my mentor, thesis chair, and impeccable instructor and researcher. Rest in peace, Professor Gladney.
Professor Gladney was my favorite college professor. He was a kind and patient man blessed with a gift for teaching. Sending prayers of comfort for his family and friends.