Gary Nixon Obituary

Gary Nixon was born in Chadron, NE on August 27, 1946 to Leo (Shorty) and Dorothy (Pete) Nixon. He grew up on the family ranch north of Cottonwood, SD. He was called home to work the cattle on the thousand hills of heaven, Wednesday, September 14, 2022.

Gary attended elementary school at the Lincoln school north of the ranch. This and the ranch is where he developed his horse skills, riding to school every day. In 1964 he graduated from Philip High School. He was always very athletic and while in high school he participated in tumbling, gymnastics, boxing and rodeo.

After high school Gary spent time on the ranch until he left for Basic Training in December 1965. While enlisted in the US Army he spent most of his time in Fort Bennig, GA and Fort Rucker, AL. Ironically enough, he was a helicopter mechanic while enlisted, because a mechanic he was not. While in Georgia he missed the cowboy life and was fortunate enough to find a family away from home that allowed him to ride some horses and continue to rodeo. He was honorably discharged in December of 1967 and made his way back to the ranch at Cottonwood.

Gary loved ranching and cowboying. The standing joke was that if he couldn’t do it horseback it wasn’t his thing. In the late 60’s, after returning from the Army he attended horse shoeing school.

While he was young his dad built him an arena so that he could develop his rodeo skills. He was a great roper, rode some bareback horses but his favorite was “the big man’s sport”, Steer Wrestling. He won many awards in the arena, but some highlights were in 1970, he had the fastest steer dogged in the SDRA, he was the 1971 SDRA Steer Wrestling Runner-up and in 1972 he won the Steer Wrestling year end in both the SDRA and NRCA. When Dick Ward announced Gary at rodeos he often said “This cowboy has muscles in places where most people don’t even have places.”

In 1971, Gary married his best friend, love of his life and his cowgirl, Julie Jeffries in Belle Fourche, SD. These two were definitely each other’s soul mates. You rarely saw one with out the other. Boy could they dance! When they were on the dance floor people always watched them move seamlessly together. Gary and Julie made their home northwest of Philip on Deadman Creek working side by side ranching and raising their girls, Kellie and Mandie.

Gary served as a director of the SDRA and later the SDHSRA. He was an outrider for many wagon trails. Gary was always willing to volunteer at youth rodeos by flagging and judging even while his grandkids were competing. He mentored many young cowboys through the years even hauling them with him when he was still going. So many people have told the family over and over again that Gary was their cowboy hero. He was a man of unmeasurable character, strength and kindness.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 173, American Angus Association and AQHA. He was well known for his outstanding herd of Black Angus cows he built. He didn’t always do things the easy way, but it was the cowboy way. He drove a team of horse to feed with for many years, could make the tightest small square bales, the tightest gates and most even tight, fences, and the straightest stack of hay. He didn’t buy his first-round baler until the summer of 1994.

He will be missed by so many.

Survivors include his wife Julie; two daughters Kellie (Jason) Ostenson of Wall, and Mandie (CJ) Menzel of Philip; grandchildren Aleida (Cain) Fairbanks, Abbianna Weinzetl, Trevor Ostenson, Mason (Lauryn) Ostenson, JJ Ostenson, and Fallon Ostenson; and Tessa, Josie and Oakley Menzel; a sister Jeanni (Gale) Gossard of New Underwood; two sisters-in-law Janie McLean of Lake Elsinore, California, and Joy Jeffries of Newell; two brothers-in-law Zane Jeffries of Box Elder, and Kevin (Julie) Jeffries of Rapid City; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial will be established.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Sunday, September 18, at the American Legion Hall in Philip.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 19, 2022 at the American Legion Hall with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating.

Interment with military honors will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Guest Book

Gary was such a great guy & neighbor! We are sorry for your loss and know he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. We will continue to pray for your family as you navigate the days ahead. Please know we are here if you need us.
~ Tucker & Jess Smith Grindstone (9/17/2022)

Julie, Kelly, Mandy and family, we were so sad to hear about Gary, know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
~ Glen and Rose Bennett Philip, SD (9/15/2022)

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
~ Gary & Gay Ruzicka Belle Fourche, SD (9/19/2022)

Dear God Bless all of you during these painful, difficult days. My sincere sympathy Julie, Kelli, and Mandi!
~ Mary Kay Sandal Hartford (9/15/2022)

My heart goes out to all of you. So do my prayers. His memory will live in your hearts forever. The last Cowboy I knew has left his saddle.
~ Karen Morgan Chatsworth, California (9/16/2022)

Dear Julie, Kellie, Mandie, and families, I am profoundly saddened by the loss of your “ROCK”. May the Lord hold you all tightly! Love you all! Cathy
~ Cathy Birkeland-Buckmaster Spearfish, SD (9/15/2022)

Kaden and I are thinking of and praying for all of you. Gary was so kind to me. I deeply respected him, and I LOVED how much he loved you all.
~ Memory and Kaden Neville Rapid City, SD (9/16/2022)

Julie and family,
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you🙏🙏🙏
~ Darlene & Everette Fite Rapid City SD (9/15/2022)

So sadden to hear of Gary's passing. I have so many great memories of him. Know Jerry and Gene were there to welcome him to his heavenly home on his forever Birthday. Prayers for all of you.
~ LeeAnn Ferley 29570 Highway 385 (9/16/2022)

Julie & girls, We were sad to hear of Gary's passing. Our thoughts and Prayers.
~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Sturgis, SD (9/16/2022)

My prayers are with the entire extended family and for the soul of Gary. He was a good friend at Philip High School and afterwards.
~ M. R. Hansen PO Box 5, 297 W. Elm St. (9/15/2022)

Julie and family -
We send our deepest sympathy to you and your family. What a shock when we heard the news. Gary was such a nice man; always so friendly and an all around good guy! Sending love and prayers.
~ Jolene & Don Haynes Philip, SD (9/16/2022)

So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Payers & hugs to you all!
~ Kelli Birkeland-Leonard Bison, SD (9/15/2022)

Prayers to Julie and the family during this most difficult time. May the love of family and friends help comfort you in the days ahead.
~ Karen Webb Rapid City SD (9/18/2022)

As with many others I am in shock and disbelief. What an amazing woman God gave him in you Julie. Plus 2 such beautiful daughters. He was blessed to have you all plus all the grandchildren. And I am sure Gary knew it.
I'm mourn with you at such a tragic loss for all of you.
I am praying for the peace that passes understanding and asking for a special balm from The Comforter be given to you all as you walk through this grief.
~ Rebecca Essen Philip (9/15/2022)

My sympathies to you all. I will always remember his smile & laughter. Keep your memories close to your heart. Sending prayers for peace & strength.
~ Cindy (Gabriel) Nuzum Wall, SD (9/15/2022)

Julie and Family
My heart just aches for all of you! Gary was such a kind and happy man. Every time I saw him, he greeted me with a smile, nod and a pat on the shoulder. He was your biggest fan. Sometimes there are no right words, just know that you are all loved and thought of. May God wrap you in his arms and hold you all so close!
Hugs,
Michelle, Katie, Lukas
Kelcey & John
~ Michelle VanderMay Philip (9/16/2022)

So sorry to hear of the death of Gary, he will be missed. Hold on to all the memories. We are thinking of all you folks, take care of each other.
~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (9/16/2022)

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Julie and family. You are all in my prayers and thoughts. God bless you with peace and strength.
~ Chancie Baenen Lead (9/15/2022)

Our thoughts and
Prayers are with your family. Cherish all the great memories.
~ Tucker and Bev Hudson Howes (9/17/2022)

Julie and family. I am so sad to see this. My memories of Gary go back to when he was 2 or 3 years old.
~ Sandra Blake 29590 los angeles ave., wellton, az (9/15/2022)

Julie and Family,
My Deepest Sympathy. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs.
~ Fawna (Geigle) Goff Sturgis, SD (9/16/2022)

Keep all your memories close to your heart to provide you comfort during this difficult time. I was so saddened to hear the news of his passing. I will continue to keep your entire family in my thoughts and prayers.
~ Kallyn Reinert Mobridge SD (9/15/2022)

I am sorry for your loss and keeping your family in my prayers,hold on to your memiores

~ joann stark Seargent Bluff,IA (9/15/2022)

We were saddened to hear of Gary’s passing. Remember the good times and always keep them in your heart.
~ Jim and Vonnie O ‘Dea Howes, SD (9/15/2022)