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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Gary Dale Peters
Gary Dale
Peters
April 16, 1947 – March 21, 2026
Funeral Services for Gary Dale Peters
Visitation
April
24
Carpenter Memorial Chapel
12:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Memorial Service
April
25
First United Methodist Church
1:30 - 2:30 pm (Central time)
Gary Dale Peters's Obituary
- Gary Dale Peters gained his angel wings on March 21, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of quiet courage, kindness,
- positivity and steadfast strength. Greg said, “I often tell my children—and I told Dad many times—that ‘he was
- the strongest and most positive person I’ve ever known.’ Dad was an amputee and lived in a home in Ogallala,
- NE, yet through every challenge he faced, he never lost his smile. He never carried a negative outlook toward
- anything or anyone, no matter what life put in front of him. His patience, grace, and quiet strength made him
- more than a father; he was someone I will always aspire to be like. It has been one of the greatest blessings and
- honors of my life to call him Dad. His legacy, his resilience, and his light will live on forever.”
- Gary was born on April 16, 1947, in McCook, sharing his childhood with his sister Cheryl and brother Don
- amid a large extended family. Their early years overflowed with recreation and laughter at family gatherings
- with cousins. In 1950, the family—with loving guidance by parents Dale and June Peters—settled into their new
- hometown of North Platte. The many cherished memories of carefree fun with neighborhood friends flourished,
- and then the birth in 1966 of youngest brother Mark, completed the family.
- Early on, Gary found joy in scouting, studies, astronomy and especially song—his clarinet carrying the spirited
- sounds of Swing and shaping a lifelong love of music. At North Platte High School, Gary’s musical mastery
- earned him first chair honors and exceptional consecutive years of All-State and Honor Band recognition-
- graduating in 1965. He was a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, performing in marching and symphonic
- bands, graduating from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1970, before beginning a lifelong goal to become
- a band director. Gary taught in the Nebraska cities of - Clarks, Franklin, and Minden, where he mentored
- students with patience, to hone and encourage their own musical talents.
- Gary later stepped away from teaching for a time to join the Union Pacific Railroad in North Platte in 1974, the
- same year he and his then wife, Kay (Bower) Peters, welcomed their son Gregory. Holding his newborn son and
- smiling with pride, Gary’s purpose in life was reflected in every milestone of his son and a focus on building a
- life for his family. Determined to educate students of music once again, Gary, wife Kay and son Greg, moved to
- Franklin where then his son Jeffrey was born - and later moving to Minden. When Jeffrey was born, the joy of a
- second son showed Gary that love didn’t divide—it multiplied. Watching his two boys together, Gary marveled
- at their bond: Greg’s gentle protectiveness and Jeff ’s caring, curious spirit—and how both faced life’s challenges
- with resilience. Gary and family moved back to North Platte in 1980 to recommence his career on the Union
- Pacific Railroad—encompassing and retiring after 26 years. Known for his friendly face and familiar presence, he
- built lasting relationships and retired with respect from colleagues and community alike.
- Gary’s hobbies reflected curiosity and creativity—from Ham Radio conversations across continents as WB0JDS,
- to meticulous skill in calligraphy and imaginative role-playing games. He formed lasting friendships and
- welcomed his sons Greg & Jeff, his brother Mark and their friends into shared stories and adventures. He
- continued to enjoy music, playing in the North Platte Municpal Band for many years. Yet photography became
- his greatest passion. With a keen eye for light, expression and life, he captured portraits, the plains, peaks, and
- the panoramic Southwest—preserving special moments of striking images in time.
- Gary’s greatest joy was being a devoted father to his sons, Greg and Jeff. He encouraged their education,
- cheered them on in sports, and shared simple, special moments—especially peaceful days spent fishing.
- Through scouting, he served as a pack leader and loving guide, walking with his boys in their achievements and
- instilling values of strength, service, and self-reliance that would stay with them for life. He later found love and
- partnership with his wife Susan, with whom he built both a life and a creative community through the Western
- Nebraska Models and Photography Group—a family formed through shared passion.
- Gary is lovingly remembered by his wife Susan (Votaw) Bassett Peters; son Greg (Tara) Peters of Omaha;
- grandsons Nathan Cochran and Brody Peters; great-grandson Tyler Cochran all of Omaha; sister Cheryl (Pat)
- Doyle of Rio Rancho, NM, brothers Don (Sandy) Peters of North Platte, and Mark (Susan) Peters of Lincoln;
- step son Jacob Bassett (Stacy), grandchildren Amelia, Gage, Jaxson, Isobel, and Alexander all of Gothenburg;
- and step-son Rick Bassett (Lindi), grandchildren Lukas and Charley all of Cheyenne, WY, step daughters Shaina
- Bassett of Sutherland, and Caitie Bassett of Ogallala; nieces, Dawn (Kerry) Havlat, son Joey and daughter Jordan
- (Troy) all of Lincoln, Staci Abegg of North Platte; Ashleigh Peters and daughter Arianna of Lincoln, Marissa
- Peters of Omaha, nephews Corbin Peters (Tierra) and daughter Atlas of Phoenix, AZ and Zane Peters of Atlanta,
- GA. Gary was preceded in death by his parents Dale and June Peters, beloved son Jeffrey Peters and nephew
- Zach Peters.
- His wide circle of friends, and fellow photographers—including Steve Towery, Mike Burg, and Paul Nuber,
- watched Gary face life as an amputee with unwavering optimism. Gary found care, and connection through
- compassionate caregivers and healthcare professionals, as well as meaningful friendships formed within his
- retirement community at the Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala—relationships that brought him strength, support,
- and sincere companionship. Gary found his life’s purpose in being a faithful husband to wife Susan and his
- proudest work of all—being the father of Greg and Jeff.
- Visitation will be on Friday, April 24, from 12 - 7 pm. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 25, at 1:30
- pm at Carpenters Memorial Chapel.
- Memorials for Gary, may be designated to a charity of the family’s choice. Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been
- entrusted with the arrangements and online condolences maybe shared at carpentermemorial.com.
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