Gary Luce

Gary Luce was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Gary Lewis Luce and Carolyn Dudley. He and brother Gregory grew up on a ranch on the east side of town where he learned animal care, rodeo skills and became meticulous to do the job to perfection. He was an honor student in the H.A.T.S. program throughout his schooling, graduating from Mitchell High School in 1982. He majored in biochemistry at the University of Colorado. GO GO C.U. BUFFS! He participated in all sports ending up with a passion for hockey which he played in the Official U.S.A. Youth Program through high school. When he moved to Billings Montana, he became a coach for the program, taking the guys to tournaments and victories.
Gary loved cooking and honed his skills as a cook at the Sand Creek Yacht Club and the Garden of the Gods Country Club in Colorado. His father brought him into the carpentry business. Later he and his brother Greg would contract to finish the fine carpentry on houses. In February 2000 he moved to Billings, Montana with Joan Hedstrom, his life partner. He was a cook at the Northern Hotel then a cabinet maker at Wilson Cabinetry. Later he worked at Hardy Construction on many local projects from the restoration of the Oliver Building to the new Cancer Center of Billing Clinic. He was also a Mason and a Shriner.
Over the last ten years, Gary pursued his passion for photography, professionally photographing graduate photos, model portfolios, weddings, business events and special events in Billings. He would guest lecture at the city college teaching photographic and lighting techniques. He perfected a unique method to shoot a model in front of the Milky Way. He was a constant at Riverfront Park shooting wildlife with eagles and blue herons among his favorites. He also shot the aurora, winning an Honorable Mention in National Geographic Magazine in 2017.
Gary is survived by his father Gary Luce, his mother Carolyn Griffin, brother Gregory Luce and family in Colorado; life partner of 30 years Joan Hedstrom; stepdaughters Julie (Harold) Hedstrom, Jennifer (Bryon) Armour, Jacqueline Helman; step grandchildren Kenneth Helman, Jessica 'Baby J' Helman, Bradley (Angie) Armour, Jeffery 'Hooper' (Julianna) Armour; and step great grandchildren Luke and Lyndon Armour. Preceded in death by beloved grandmother Hazel Wells, grandfather Hobert Wells and grandfather Rev. Henry James Luce. Private services will be announced on Facebook.