Gary Lee Wilson

1949 - 2025

Gary Lee Wilson

April 11, 1949 - June 17, 2025

Abilene, Texas - Gary Lee Wilson ended his decade-long battle with Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia on June 17, 2025. He was 76.

Gary retired as Assistant Director and Professor of Ranch Management at TCU. Previously, he taught at Missouri Western State College and earlier at New Mexico State University. After retiring from the classroom, he continued to consult with agriculture departments and leading cattle ranchers in developing European countries. He coordinated the purchase and shipment of the first-ever American beef cattle to be introduced in Kazakhstan, chartering a 747 to bring 250+ head of cattle to that country. He supervised the herd's arrival and acclimatization in Europe to help ranchers develop sustainable beef production. He worked with the Szent István University in Gödöll? to evaluate their livestock operations post-Soviet Union control and spent a week with their representatives in Texas teaching them U.S. marketing and production techniques.

Gary was most proud to serve as a Santa Gertrudis, Brahman, and Brangus Breed Superintendent for the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo for 30 years before moving to Abilene, TX, to be closer to family. He was an elected board member for the Bethesda Rural Water District for 21 years, focusing on the critical balance between agriculture, irrigation, and recreational needs with potable water for families and businesses to make sure all parties had ample water for decades to come.

Gary was an avid wildlife and livestock photographer, serving on the official photography team at numerous livestock shows throughout Canada and the U.S. His work was featured on 16 magazine covers and in countless livestock publications. In addition to his own cow/calf operation south of Fort Worth, Gary raised Gypsy Cob horses and was the primary caregiver for his wife's miniature donkeys.

He was married just shy of 50 years to his college sweetheart, Julie Holt Wilson, and raised two magnificent children: Reagan Wilson of Arlington, TX, and Tyler Wilson of Tuscola, TX, wife, Lindsay, and two grandchildren, Paige and Gus, all of whom gave him immeasurable joy. He is also survived by his brother Bob Wilson and wife Linda, and sister Diane Grimsley and husband Bill, both of North Carolina, and good friend and brother-in-law Matt Holt and his wife Betsy of New Mexico.

Celebration-of-life gatherings will be held in both Abilene and Fort Worth:

Friday, June 20, 3-5 p.m. at the family home at 33 Fairway Oaks Blvd., Abilene, with brief comments at 4 p.m.

Monday, June 23, 3-5 p.m. at Greenwood Funeral Home (Live Oak Room), 3100 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, also with brief comments at 4 p.m.

Donations in Gary's honor may be made to Punching Out Parkinson's in Fort Worth, a non-profit organization that helped him fight this insidious disease, or the Big Country Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, a group he enjoyed being part of in Abilene.

Memories may be shared and condolences submitted at: www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com.