Gary Frasier

Gary Wayne Frasier, 88, passed away September 28, 2025 from complications of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) at his home in Loveland Colorado. Gary grew up on a small ranch in the Sandhills of southwest Nebraska. During his youth, he participated in 4H and was a State Farmer in the Future Farmers of America (FFA). After graduation from high school in Imperial NE, he attended Colorado State University and earned a Bachelors of Science (BS) degree in Agricultural Engineering. Gary attended Arizona State University (ASU) and earned a Masters of Science in Civil Engineering. Gary served for over 40 years as a research scientist for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agriculture Research Service (ARS) specializing in water harvesting and rangeland science and management. Gary completed assignments for the ARS in Tempe AZ, Tucson AZ and Ft Collins CO. Gary also served as an Affiliated Faculty member at the University of Arizona and Colorado State University mentoring many graduate students. He had a passion for watershed and range management. Gary was a life member in the American Society of Agriculture Engineers; a charter member, life member and fellow in the Soil and Water Conservation Society; and a life member and fellow in the Society for Range Management (SRM). Gary served in many leadership and technical roles for the SRM. The SRM awarded Gary the prestigious W.R. Chapline Research Scientist and the Fredrick G. Renner awards for his research and leadership contributions to SRM, Range Science and Range Management.

Gary met his wife Jo in Tempe AZ; they were married in November 1959. Gary and Jo shared 58 years of marriage, and enjoyed family life, raising their three children and being grandparents. Gary served as a leader in the Cub Scout and Boy Scout youth organizations for many years. He also coached youth baseball, softball and football for over 10 years. He was an amateur weatherman, a voracious reader and Navajo style rug weaver. Gary enjoyed camping, fishing and traveling with his wife and kids. His most memorable trips with Jo were to Hawaii, Canada, Scotland and South Africa. He loved being the patriarch of his “Scottish Clan” family.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Wilber Wayne and Edith Belle (Sims) Frasier, his sister Marilyn Elaine (Frasier) Kilpatrick and his wife, Jo (Alberta Jolee Rolston), niece Shelly Kilpatrick and nephew Darren Kilpatrick.

He is survived by his three children: Donna Chitla (Jim), Clay Frasier (Connie), and Wendy Frasier (Glen Peer); his niece Renee Kilpatrick; his grandchildren: Dawn Pendergrass (Riley), Chris Chitla, Cassia Chitla (Matt Baker), Sarah Frasier, Kelley Pippett (Shaun), Thomas Frasier (Tori), and Amber Peer; and his great grandchildren: Waylon Pippett, Scout Pippett, Sloane Pippett and Tinley Frasier.

A Graveside Service has been Scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 1:00 P.M (MT) at Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta NE.

Memorial Contributions may be made to a charity of donor’s choice in remembrance of Gary.