Gary W. Thompson, age 66, of Buffalo Gap, SD, passed away April 9, 2015, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD.

Gary was born February 26, 1949, in Philip, SD, to Oliver and Eileen Thompson. He was a proud member of the United States Navy and served in Vietnam from November 1967 until his honorable discharge in November 1969. He married the love of his life, Vicki Harper, on January 23, 1971. He spent the majority of his life fulfilling his passion for farming and ranching in Montana, Texas and South Dakota.

There are too many words to describe Gary, but some our favorites are: loving, strong, loyal, amazing, passionate, funny, compassionate and kind. He loved his family with all of his heart, and he would do anything for those he loved. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle and friend.

Gary is survived by his wife, Vicki; daughter, Kim (Tim) McNemar; son, Matt (Jeannie) Thompson; grandchildren, Makenzie; Terra; Katie; Zach; Corinne; brothers, Dennis (Cheryl); Michael (Mary Kay); sister, Sandra Gordon; beloved nieces and nephews, and his much-loved extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Oliver Thompson; mother, Eileen Weisenberger; brother, Thomas Thompson and nephew Jay Harris.

Services will be held at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Hot Springs, SD, on Monday, April 13, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., by Pastor Gary Jacobsen. Committal services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project online or sent to Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.