Gary H. "Coach" Campbell

Gary H. “Coach” Campbell passed away on the evening of March 19, 2025, in Cheyenne, WY, surrounded by his loving family. He is now safe in the Lord’s hands and will receive eternal rest. Gary was born on December 31, 1933, to Jesse Hugh “Bud” Campbell and Dorothy Alice Vail in Garden Grove, Iowa. He was 91 years old at the time of his death. His childhood/adolescent years were spent in Ashland, Nebraska, where he met and cherished his loving wife Mary Jane Thiessen. They embarked on a 72-year marriage commencing June 19, 1952, and embraced the births of five beautiful daughters beginning with C’s – Cathy, Connie, Courtney, Camilla and Candi.

His educational opportunities included a High School diploma from Ashland, NE; Bachelor of Science Degree from Chadron State College; Master’s Degree from University of Northern Colorado; and an Administration Certification from the University of Wyoming.

He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church serving on committees, as a local and sub-district Lay Leader and produced The Living Last Supper on many occasions during Lent. His trip of a lifetime was a pilgrimage with his wife to the Holy Land. Civic activities included Rotary Club, lifetime Elks member and member/officer with the Wyoming Coaches Association.

Gary began his teaching career in 1963 in Newcastle, WY followed by Valley High in Gilcrest, CO, Rawlins High School in Rawlins, WY and one year in Ashland, NE. He was also a realtor/broker in Rawlins.

Early in his teaching career, Gary began coaching wrestling, along with football and track. He loved his wrestlers and coached them for 11 years, leading them to three state championships in WY. A highlight in his career was taking a wrestling team to Japan for Expo “70” and also hosting a Japanese team in WY the following year. His greatest achievement was induction into the Wyoming Coaches Hall of Fame in 2013.

In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, camping, four-wheeling and cutting firewood. His favorite holiday was his birthday as “everyone celebrates his birthday (New Year’s Eve)!” He will be remembered for his unfailing work ethic, athletic abilities, love of the outdoors, fried chicken and watching hours/days of football! Gary loved spending time with his friend Martin Pedersen and his longtime buddy, Pete Corson who told the best and most laughable stories. Gary loved times with his family on Sunday afternoon rides/hikes, going to the Black Hills and joining him during the summer when he was attending school out of state.

Gary is survived by his wife, Mary and five daughters Cathy Benene (Jimmy), Connie Pate (Dennis), Courtney Bohlender (Brad), Camilla Walker (Jack) and Candi Hofmann (Duane).

He has 17 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Out of 5 siblings he is survived by one sister Sue Gaines-Van Buren, AR and one brother Brad Campbell-Lincoln, NE.

The family wishes to thank Westward Heights in Lander, WY, and Cottonwood Creek Memory Care in Cheyenne, WY, for their loving and compassionate caregiving and our most heartfelt appreciation to his caregiver, Yeshi Choedon, who is dearly loved by his family.

He is joined in eternal life with his father Jesse H. Campbell, mother Dorothy Alice Vail Campbell, sister Penelope Stewart and brothers Dan Campbell and Steve Campbell.

Memorial services will be held at Wiederspahn- Randomsky Chapel of Chimes, 1900 E. 19th St., Cheyenne, WY on Saturday, March 29th at 2:00p.m. The viewing will be held from 12:00pm-2:00pm.at the Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of Chimes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Riverton United Methodist Church in Riverton, WY or Wyoming Chapter Alzheimer’s Association.