Gary L. Sears, DVM, 82, passed away near Alliance, Nebraska on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Joan, his wife of more than 58 years and daughter Julie (Darrell Lasky) Sears, 57, perished at the same time as Gary in a car accident.
Gary was born in Bridgeport on March 7, 1941, a few minutes after his twin sister Gail Walsh and grew up near Lisco where his father was manager of the South Unit of the Rush Creek Land & Livestock ranch. He attended high school in Oshkosh, and then attended the CSU School of Veterinary Medicine in Ft. Collins, Colorado. In 1965, he graduated from veterinary school, married his college sweetheart, Joan, and they headed off to Montana for his first veterinary job. In 1967, Gary & Joan moved to Hyannis and established Hyannis Veterinary Service which continues to thrive to this day. In addition to more than 40 years of service to area ranchers and their animals, Gary was active in service to the community, including stints on the Grant County Fair board, School Board and about anything else that needed done. Gary retired (mostly) in 2009 after selling the practice to Dr. Bill Baker and Dr. Jon Werth. Gary and Joan continued to live in Hyannis since that time.
Gary was known as an excellent veterinarian (mainly cattle & cattle ranching) and one who was well equipped with a wry sense of humor, love of practical jokes, and a strong work ethic. He was widely loved and respected throughout the area. He learned to fly in his early years in Hyannis to help meet time demands, frequently hopping from ranch to ranch in his Piper Cub and/or Tri-Pacer. Tales of his practical jokes, his go-the-extra-mile in service of his friends and clients, the many not-so-routine encounters with a cow and/or cowhand, a few fishing stories, and of course an occasional airplane story are legendary.
One of the highlights of his career was his induction into the Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2019. Gary never considered himself that much of a true cowboy, but he knew and served a whole lot of them. There is a nice article about him that can be found at this site: Gary L “Doc”. Sears, DVM - Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame (sandhillscowboys.com).
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Lucile Sears, and twin sister Gail Walsh and her husband, Don Walsh. He is survived by his son, Greg (Jamie) of Rocklin, CA, his son-in-law, Darrell Lasky of Santa Rosa, CA, his brother, Jim (Kathy Ewert),his two sisters, Jean (Blaine) Merritt, Becky Hummer (Alex Lewis), as well as six grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service for the family is set for October 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Hyannis High School. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the All-Saints Altar Society, the Winters Building fund, or the Grant County Fair Board.