Gary was born April 8, 1945 in Ainsworth, Nebraska, the son of Douglas and Betty (Shaul) Wrage. He grew up on various ranches south of Valentine, NE, where his father worked and eventually leased ranches raising Hereford cattle. He attended one room rural schools through 8th grade. Gary graduated from Wentworth Military Academy in 1964. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wyoming in 1969. While at the university he met and married Barbara Swan in 1968 to which two children were born, Shannon in 1969 and Bryan in 1971.
After college, Gary and Barbara ranched south of Valentine, NE and raised Herefords before moving to Aurora, NE where Gary was a Vice President and Agriculture Lending Officer. In 1977, they moved to Juniata, NE where Gary was the Chairman, President, and CEO of the Roseland State Bank in Roseland, NE before moving to Immokalee, FL to work for the First Bank of Immokalee.
Gary was named to the National Honor Society, the School Honor Society, and the Best All Around Jr. High and High School Athlete while at Wentworth. While in Wyoming he spent six years in the 133rd Light Equipment Co., Army National Guard, Wyoming Unit. He graduated from the Colorado School of Banking at the University of Colorado in 1980. Gary held various offices in the Jaycees, Lions, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Immokalee Friendship House, various church committees, Collier County Planning Commission, and was a 1997 graduate of Leadership Collier.
Gary was involved with his children and grandchildren’s activities; and enjoyed watching them develop into young adults. Gary was an instrument rated pilot and loved to fly whenever the chance presented itself.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, mother, a brother Randy and an infant brother. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Barbara, of Tampa; his daughter Shannon (Brian) Krabel of Land O’ Lakes, FL; his son Bryan (Melissa) of Apollo Beach, FL; grandchildren: Nicole and Kyle Krabel; Ashley, Lauren and Sarah Wrage; William “Will” and Sadie Sherman; great-granddaughter Carla Jane Ponte; sister Shari Bolstad, of Epping, ND; nephew Kory (Carrie) Bolstad, of Williston, ND, and niece Jennifer (Steven) Welzenbach of Billings, MT; and numerous cousins.
Donations may be made to Wounded Warriors Project at www.support.woundedwarrierproject.org or to Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org or Voice of the Martyrs at www.persecution.com.
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