Gary N. Talley passed away peacefully in Billings, Montana and followed the upward trail with a hunters’ moon lighting his way, close friends at his side. He was a longtime resident of Montesano and Oakville, Washington. He was residing in Roy, Montana at the time of his death.
Born March 31, 1942 to Victor and Thelma Talley, he spent his entire childhood at Brooklyn, Washington where he attended North River School and graduated high school in 1961.
Gary learned to fish and hunt at his dad’s side and started to ride horses at an early age when his grandpa bought him his first, a cow-horse named Old Dan.
He was active in sports, playing football, baseball and basketball in high school. After graduation he went to work as a logger and worked his way up through the ranks to timber faller.
In 1964, he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves and was honorable discharged. He then continued as a logger/faller working for various companies around Grays Harbor and Alaska: Roberts Brothers, Weyerhaeuser Company and Anderson-Middleton before starting his own company. He had a logging contract on Mount Saint Helens before and after the eruption. He subcontracted for the Rayonier Sorting Import Yard in Hoquiam for several years. He competed in the annual Hoquiam Loggers Playday where he won numerous trophies and awards.
Gary belonged to many clubs and organizations: The Grays Harbor Mounted Posse (a lifetime member), The Push Rods, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Westside Team Penners, Grays Harbor Horse Racing and more.
Always the daredevil, he drove horse-drawn chariots, pulled by two race horses, in Posse Convention races and also once competed in a downhill race.
In his later years Gary enjoyed sorting/team penning cow events and won many buckles and awards. He taught clinics in the sport. He spent his winters near Phoenix, Arizona with friends, his horse and pets. His summers were spent mostly in Roy, Montana and in Grays Harbor visiting. He hunted every fall in Montana with friends and family and bagged many trophies. He trail rode in the desert back country areas of Arizona, Washington and Oregon. He didn’t travel by air much, but did travel back to Pennsylvania to visit Mike and his family.
Gary is survived by his sister Vicki (Tom) Johnson; his three children: Michael (Gisselle) Talley, Danette Talley and Bryan (Jamie) Talley; three step-daughters: Chris (Mike) Lewin, Patti (Kent) Jones and Shelly Ridgway; five grandchildren: Kyler Doll, Jonathan Talley, Elizabeth Talley, Ava Talley and Madeline Talley; five step-grandchildren: Lyle, Jodi and Amanda Lewin; Carter and Riley Jones; Trevor and Trace Ridgway; cousins: Merna Chambers Dearth (and her sons Jack, Brett and Brad), Monterey Talley Nosari and David Talley; nieces and nephews: Rocki (Barney) Oldfield, Tiffany (Joel) Martin, Jarrod and Jordan Johnson, Tristan Talley Hanson and Kasiana Brewer and his horse Quatro. Gary is also survived by all the memories and friends he made throughout his lifetime.
He will be laid to rest in the family plot at the North River Cemetery at Brooklyn with graveside services and full military honors at 10 a.m. on Aug. 14, 2022. A celebration of Gary’s life will be held at 2 p.m. following the service at the Aberdeen Log Pavilion, 1401 Sargent Blvd., where stories and a potluck will be shared.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Roy Rodeo Club, P.O. Box 131, Roy, MT 59471 or North River School Scholarship Fund, North River Road, Box 2867, Cosmopolis, WA 98537
